The 1939 Scandal That Sent a Detroit Mayor to Prison

Richard Reading was mayor of Detroit for just two years: 1938-1940. Born in Detroit in 1882, he had various careers before he reached the age of 40. At various times he was a newspaper executive, printer, realtor, and even a semi-pro wrestler.

In 1901 when he was 19, Richard married Blanche White. With four kids in tow, Reading made the decision to enter public life in 1921. He began as City Assessor in 1921, City Controller in 1924, and City Clerk in 1926. Finally, in 1939 he ran for mayor and won, defeating Patrick H. O'Brien.

Unfortunately, even those who enter public office with good intentions can be tempted to be somewhat unscrupulous...thus was the case with Richard Reading. According to freep.com, Reading “engaged in graft, selling protection to numbers racketeers and promotions to police officers.”

Get our free mobile app

How was he discovered? It was thanks to a woman named Janet McDonald. In 1939, McDonald killed herself and her young daughter after sending various notes, letters, and messages to the local newspapers revealing the actions of her former lover / bookie.

Evidently, she found out he was paying bribes to Detroit police in order to protect his gambling and racketeering. Thanks to her correspondence, an investigation was instigated which pinpointed several Detroit police officials. Mayor Reading opposed these investigations and later it was discovered why: he, too, was involved in the shady dealings. He had been accepting bribes in order to dole out promotions.

His deeds were discovered and strongly used against him in the upcoming mayoral election. He lost in a crushing blow to Edward Jeffries.

Once out of office, he was charged with “accepting bribes and conspiring to protect Detroit's gambling rackets” and spent three years in prison out of a five-year sentence. He was quoted as saying “This is the greatest injustice since the crucifixion of Christ!”

Richard W. Reading died in 1952 in Brighton.

MORE STUFF: