[1] During the 1910s, Crawford moved to Southern California, where he opened a bar that reportedly also included a casino and bordello frequented by local politicians, judges and public officials.

[1] Eventually, Crawford developed a large vice operation in Los Angeles that included many casinos and bordellos.

In 1921, Crawford's friend and political deal-maker, Kent Kane Parrot, concluded that prosecutor, George E. Cryer, would be a suitable candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles.

His notorious viciousness and cunning helped take public corruption to a new level in Los Angeles city government in the 1920s.

Prosecutors alleged that Crawford had conspired with five police officers and others to arrest the councilman on a trumped-up morals charge.

Prosecutors alleged that Crawford and the former State Corporations Commissioner conspired to accept bribes in exchange for business privileges.

[2] With Cryer and Parrot no longer in a position to assist him, Crawford sought legitimacy by opening an insurance and real estate office in Hollywood.

"[4] In June 1930, shortly after his indictment on bribery charges, Crawford was baptized and admitted into the membership of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church.

On the day of his baptism, Crawford placed a ring set with two large diamonds, and valued at $3,500, in the collection plate at Briegleb's church.

"[4] At the time of his death, a newspaper investigation found that Crawford was the recorded owner of automobiles and jewelry valued in excess of $280,000.

[7] He also had extensive real estate holdings, including a residence on North Rexford Drive in Beverly Hills and an entire block along Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.

He called Crawford a "true friend" and said the funeral was "the most difficult task I have ever faced in my twenty-five years as a minister.

"[10] Several weeks after the shootings, David H. Clark, a prosecutor and candidate for judge, turned himself in to the police and admitted that he had shot Crawford and Spencer.

Clark claimed he refused to participate in the scheme and called Crawford a "dirty lowdown skunk" to his face.