Sexual Blackmail in New York City Nightclubs A Gay Extortion Ring

In 1939 and 1940 men were arrested who comprised a ring of extortioners who preyed on homosexual men. The ring extended throughout the United States. However it was concentrated largely in Manhattan, New York and Chicago. The trio of men who were the gang's leaders were imprisoned in Sing Sing Prison in Westchester, New York. The same individuals had extorted money from Washington, DC men. The earlier extortion ring was exposed around 1938. It is estimated that the racket extorted as much as $2 million from vulnerable men over a decade's time. The list of men whose careers were ruined by this deception included army generals, politicians and a navy admiral.