The Good Bootlegger: Roy Olmstead
Summary
Hosts Zarin and Elizabeth discuss Roy Olmstead, a Seattle police officer who became a non-violent bootlegging kingpin during Prohibition. They detail his ingenious use of coded children’s radio stories to coordinate shipments and his subsequent arrest via illegal wiretaps. The episode covers the landmark Supreme Court case Olmstead v. United States, which initially upheld the evidence, and Olmstead’s later redemption as a community servant.
Topics discussed
Intro and Ad Breaks
Webster and Star Trek Crossover Discussion
Introduction to Roy Olmsted
Olmsted's Background and Police Career
The Bootlegging Operation and Darcy Island
Olmsted's Reputation and Seattle Connections
Ad Breaks
Wiretapping and Federal Investigation
Elise Campbell and Radio Code Stories
Ad Breaks
The Raid and Olmsted v. United States Trial
Supreme Court Decision and Olmsted's Redemption
Katz v. United States and Modern Privacy
Outro and Listener Stories
Final Ad Breaks
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