# Pendergast v. United States, 317 U.S. 412 (1943)

Canonical: https://mobfiles.org/items/courtlistener-pendergast-v-united-states-317-us-412/

The Supreme Court reverses the contempt convictions of Pendergast, O'Malley and McCormack on limitations grounds; its statement of facts describes Pendergast as 'a "political boss"' and the $750,000 'fee' agreed to influence the settlement of the 1930 insurance rate suits.

Argued 14-15 December 1942 and decided 4 January 1943. The statement of facts describes Pendergast as "a 'political boss,'" recounts a $750,000 "fee" agreed to be paid to influence the settlement of the 1930 insurance rate suits, and says the Justice Department "caused Pendergast and O'Malley to be indicted for evasion of income taxes," to which they pleaded guilty and were "fined and imprisoned late in May, 1939." The opinion ends "Reversed," on the ground that any contempt occurred no later than 1 February 1936 and was barred by the statute of limitations. Justice Jackson dissented and Justice Murphy took no part.

The reversal turns on limitations. The opinion's description of the underlying payments is the Court's account of the record below.

## Sources

- Supreme Court of the United States, via CourtListener: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/103746/pendergast-v-united-states/