James Butler Elkins (1901–1968) was a crime boss in Portland, Oregon, in the mid-20th century.
His testimony, supported by over 70 hours of audio recordings of conversations he made on his own, was a prominent feature in the McClellan Committee investigations into organized crime that commenced in 1957.
[2] Elkins' audio recordings resulted in indictments of Portland mayor Terry Schrunk and Multnomah County District Attorney William Langley,[3] although both were acquitted.
"[4] Elkins spent the first 30 years of his life involved in crimes including manufacturing moonshine, shooting a security guard in Arizona, possessing narcotics, and organizing gambling.
[5] Fred collected money from the business and Jim paid bribes to the police department in exchange for protection from the law.