When Corruption Was King: How I Helped the Mob Rule Chicago, Then Brought the Outfit Down

By Robert Cooley

Book Overview

During the 1970s and '80s, attorney Bob Cooley bribed judges, juries, and coppers for his Chicago Mob clients. Yet, without a pending conviction, he became the star witness in nine federal trials in the '90s that disabled the Chicago Outfit, the most powerful Mafia family in history. Mob lawyer turned mole with a million-dollar contract on his head, Cooley has clanged back and forth between sin and sainthood like a church bell's clapper--a turbulent youth, a stint on Chicago's police force, law school, and then the inner sanctum of Chicago's wiseguys. He chased acquittals for Pat Marcy, former henchman of Al Capone who became Illinois Democratic Party leader and the Mob's key political operative; ruthless Mafia Capo Marco D'Amico; and hit man Harry Aleman. He dined with Mob bosses and shared "last suppers" with friends before their executions. He helped brew a perfect storm of corruption, where the Mob led the law and could fend off the Feds. In a startling act of conscience, Cooley walked into the office of the U.S. Organized Crime Strike Force and agreed to wear a wire on the very same Mafia overlords who had made him a player.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786715839
• ISBN13: 9780786715831
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 370 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 1.0" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

How Chicago Works

This book brings you through the life of lawyor Bob Cooley and how he got involved in the Chicago 'Outfit'. Coming from Chicago myself I was engulfed in the stories he told of his childhood and even his adult life partying and living the dream life in downtown Chicago. Coming from a working class family Cooley still managed to attend Catholic high school and college. Working his way through law school as a cop he learned a lot of the ways the police worked. It was when he became a lawyor that he really got involved in fixing cases for the mob and gambling heavily. Soon enough he was in too deep to find any other way out but the feds. The stories Cooley experienced in his adult life were truly remarkable and definitely worth reading. From martial arts experts to hanging out with Sinatra at famous clubs, Cooley really lived an amazing life during most of his adulthood.

Timely book!

Well, what with all the current hullaballoo in City Hall, I thought I'd check to see how many people had rated this book- Not enough, they should be covering this in the public schools so that kids will grow up in Chicago not thinking our corrupt system is "normal". This book is crazy, if I didn't know several people who have independently verified tales in it, I'd think it must be fiction, but it isn't. What really kills you is not simply how many people sell out, but how cheaply they do so. buy this book.

You the man

I know this man, and I'm proud to say that. I also have known many pretty shady,and evil people in my life. This book is one that is not to be underestamaited as the man who wrote this book gave up his life so that "we" the citizens of this "Great" city can have a better life, and just maybe "justice"! How many of us would have done what Bob Cooley did? How many of us have just turned our heads because we didn't want to get involved? Oh, someone else will do the dirty work. Well he did the dirty work and for us the people of Chicago, and hopefully his work and tell all in this book will awaken yet another to come forward. Thank you Bob, peace be with you.

Beware of sheep holding a mallet/wearing dark clothing

It has all it needs to capture one's intrest. Sad part being it's so true.Most people around the world have already heard about our notorious mafia Chicago city and it's true but how many of us would come clean as did Robert Cooley and put his life out there for his love of his home town and those three little words " Justice for all ".Talk about an awakening for those who haven't read this book I dare any of them to do such crimes which have been done as in this book and see how much they can get away with. Futhermore, while we are voting for Judges who are letting off pedifiles maybe we should investage a bit more on how these politics are still in office. Born and raised in this city after reading this book I know my children and greandchildren may be living in a better place here. It must have been a living death for Mr. Cooley to do his duty and I commend him for that.

A must read for anyone who loves politics!

Robert Cooley spins a great yarn that Hollywood's best could never imagine - except, that it is all true. This fascinating story gives an insider's look at just how corrupt Chicago was, and probably still is. The former Chicago chief of detectives was working as a mole for the Mob? Dozens of judges and politicians on the take? Assassinations and murder as a cost of doing business? He names names, he shares his incredible insider's view and he makes you wonder if things have really changed. Cooley and Levin have put together an entirely readable, well crafted, and engrossing book. Along with "Greylord", Mike Royko's "Boss", this book has joined the top of the must read list for those who really wish to really understand Chicago, graft, corruption and all.