Pat Marcy


Pat Marcy was a legendary political boss with influence over the Illinois Democratic Party. According to Federal prosecutors, as well as informants Robert Cooley and Michael J. Corbitt, he was also a trusted and valued associate of the Chicago Outfit. His official title was, "Secretary of the First Ward." FBI agent William Roemer believed Marcy to be a made man in the Chicago Outfit when Roemer testified before the U.S. Senate in 1983.

Background

Marcy was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 6, 1913 to an Italian American family. His name was originally Pasqualino Marciano until he formally changed it. He and Tony Accardo both worked for Al Capone. Marciano was a gunman for the original Capone gang. He became the head of the first ward which controlled everything from the governor on down.

The First Ward

Marcy ran Chicago's old 1st Ward which encompassed Chicago's Downtown. Alderman Fred Roti and Democratic Committeeman John D'Arco, Sr., both of whom also had close ties to the Chicago Outfit, took their direct orders from Marcy. Marcy regularly met with the mob's main enforcers at Counselor's Row restaurant, across the street from Chicago City Hall.

The FBI

Beginning in the 1950s, the Federal Bureau of Investigation tried for over three decades to bring down Marcy and his associates. According to former FBI agent William F. Roemer, Jr., their tactics included illegally bugging the First Ward's Headquarters at 100 North LaSalle Street in 1962. Although the bug, dubbed "Shade," revealed a great deal about the activities of the First Ward's political machine, nothing could be used in court.

The sting

Finally, in the mid 1980s, criminal defense attorney and longtime First Ward associate Robert Cooley secretly approached Federal prosecutors. He declared, "I want to help you destroy the First Ward. I want to help you destroy Pat Marcy." Cooley proceeded to wear a wire while meeting with Marcy and several other First Ward members, including D'Arco and Roti, implicating them in numerous acts of corruption, including fixing trials on the Outfit's behalf. According to Cooley, Marcy had influence in Cook County politics, job appointments in law enforcement, and court decisions.
During the same period, Michael Corbitt, the imprisoned former police chief of Willow Springs, Illinois, began cooperating with federal prosecutors. According to Corbitt, Marcy was so trusted by the Outfit that the money skimmed from casinos in Central America and Las Vegas was delivered directly to him.

Imprisonment and death

As a result of these investigations, Marcy was indicted with one count of conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, six counts of bribery, and six counts of extortion. Marcy died during the trial, in March 1993.