Frank Wilson, an ex-accountant, made a name for himself at the United States Treasury Department’s Intelligence Unit in 1920. Throughout Prohibition, Wilson gained a reputation as a meticulous investigator of tax returns and income, known for his unyielding dedication.
Frank Wilson thrived on demanding assignments and had earned his reputation as a top-notch investigator. His career trajectory took a remarkable turn early on when he worked for the Internal Revenue Service. In a historic operation, he became the linchpin in the case to bring Public Enemy Number One, Al Capone, to justice. Wilson’s relentless pursuit led to Capone’s incarceration, a feat that paid dividends in an unexpected way when FDR urgently required a bulletproof limousine following the attack on Pearl Harbor. A federal regulation limited car expenses to $750, but the solution lay in Al Capone’s massive armored vehicle, which was promptly refurbished and driven to the White House. President Roosevelt couldn’t hide his delight.
Yet, Wilson’s legacy extended beyond Capone. He was also the man who insisted on spending a night at the venerable J. P. Morgan & Company on 23 Wall Street in New York. His mission? To meticulously record the serial numbers of every banknote used as ransom in the infamous Charles Lindbergh baby kidnapping case. Subsequently, $14,600 of those bills was uncovered in Bruno Hauptman’s garage, a critical piece of evidence that contributed to Hauptman’s conviction and eventual execution in the electric chair.
In describing Frank J. Wilson, journalist Adela Rogers painted a picture of a larger-than-life figure. He was a big, slow-moving man with a kindly, round face, moonlike glasses, and a smile that crept in gradually. His enduring legacy as a relentless investigator was etched in the annals of American law enforcement.
Pursuit of Al Capone: The Tenacious Investigation Led by Frank Wilson.
Wilson’s team embarked on a mission to build tax evasion cases against prominent figures in the Chicago Outfit, with the primary goal of convicting Al Capone. In 1929, their pursuit began with evidence indicating that Capone’s brother Ralph had not paid taxes on substantial illegal income. The team, led by Elmer L. Irey, ultimately sought to prove that Capone’s lavish spending was funded by taxable income, despite his lack of a formal job.
However, their investigation was riddled with challenges. Tracking the source of Capone’s income and his meticulous financial maneuvers proved daunting. Nevertheless, Wilson’s relentless pursuit of information and his team’s efforts led to key breakthroughs.
One breakthrough came when Wilson’s team discovered a ledger documenting financial records of a major gambling operation, hinting at Capone’s involvement. The goal was to locate bookkeepers to testify that “A” and “Al” referred to Capone in the ledgers. Leslie A. Shumway, a dog track employee, eventually testified against Capone, highlighting the money’s allocation to Capone.
In addition, Wilson’s team uncovered monthly wire transfers between Capone and his family in Chicago, revealing his connection to Miami, where Shumway worked at a dog track.
Notably, an attempt on Wilson’s life by hired assassins alerted authorities to Capone’s desperation to evade justice. Though the existence of these killers remains uncertain, it added intrigue to the case.
Finally, after gathering ample evidence, a grand jury indicted Capone on 23 counts of tax evasion, leading to his conviction in 1931. He received an 11-year prison sentence and a significant fine. Capone’s reign of terror came to an end, thanks to the relentless efforts of Wilson and his team.
Unveiling the 1933 Double Eagle Mystery: Frank Wilson’s Pursuit
Howard brought this critical information to the attention of Secret Service Chief Frank J. Wilson, igniting a chain of events. Special Agents James Haley and Harry W. Strang were dispatched to Stack’s the day before the auction, where they took a significant step by seizing the 1933 Double Eagle coin, much to the dismay of the proprietors who were concerned about its potential stolen property status. The Stacks cooperated, providing the agents with the name of another owner, Max Berenstein, whose coin was also seized. The following day, Strang and Haley confiscated a third 1933 Double Eagle and amassed a wealth of names and leads that pointed the investigation toward Philadelphia.
The case was officially designated as FILE NUMBER CO-10468 on March 27, 1944, with the “CO” prefix signifying the chief’s direct involvement. Frank J. Wilson, renowned as one of the pioneers of modern forensic accounting, began his career in the IRS intelligence unit. He played a pivotal role in incarcerating Al Capone and tracking down the kidnapper of the Lindbergh baby. Since 1936, he had served as the Chief of the Secret Service. Wilson was a figure of unwavering integrity and formidable determination, leaving no room for doubt or questioning of his honesty, as noted by Adela Rogers St. John.
Special Agents Strang and George Drescher initiated their work in Philadelphia, where the investigation swiftly unfolded. They interviewed James G. Macallister, a highly respected coin dealer, who disclosed that he had acquired his first 1933 Double Eagle on February 17, 1937, for $500. He subsequently sold it the next day for $1,600 and emphasized that prior to that purchase, “no 1933 Double Eagle had been circulated.”