Let’s remember when corrupt SPD chief Frank Ramon resigned, due to corruption, on this day in 1969 (October 8)
In looking at Seattle’s history, one figure who often comes up is Frank Ramon, the former police chief who never met a bribe he couldn’t take. Exactly fifty years ago, that era ended, at least in an official capacity.
David Wilma of HistoryLink says:
On October 8, 1969, Seattle Police Chief Frank C. Ramon (1914–1986) retires after a palace revolt by top police commanders. Three assistant police chiefs object to Ramon’s interference in a gambling investigation that exposed corruption. Seattle Mayor Floyd Miller (1902–1985) asks for and receives Ramon’s resignation, effective November 5, 1969.
The mayor had appointed the three assistant chiefs, Frank Moore, George Fuller, and A. C. Gustin, in December 1968, as part of a departmental reorganization.
In August 1969, Gustin and Fuller staged a raid on the Lifeline Bingo Parlor in Seattle without Ramon’s knowledge. The operation revealed that gambling, illegal under state law, was openly taking place and further, that the operator had made large payments to political figures.
Ramon ordered that the defendants be released from jail and that no further raids take place. Gustin reported (apparently erroneously) that he was then approached with an offer of a bribe to curtail the investigation. The three assistant chiefs gave Ramon and the mayor an ultimatum: either Ramon resigns or they would request reassignments back to their permanent ranks of captain.
Resignation it was. With an election coming up in November 1969, a new mayor would have replaced him. Besides, with 28 years of service, he was eligible to retire. In 1971, Ramon was indicted along with 16 others for complicity in the scandal. He was alleged to have received liquor from operators of gambling establishments. Charges against him were dismissed before trial because he had testified before a grand jury under a grant of immunity.
Nice work if you can get it!
