Enoch L. Johnson

American political boss and racketeer

Enoch Lewis "Nucky" Johnson (January 20, 1883 – December 9, 1968) was an American political boss and racketeer in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was the undisputed "boss" of the political machine that controlled Atlantic City and the Atlantic County government from the 1910s until his conviction and imprisonment in 1941.

Early life

Enoch Lewis Johnson was born on January 20, 1883, in Galloway Township, New Jersey. He was the son of Smith E. Johnson, a sheriff of Atlantic County, and Virginia Higbee. Johnson grew up in a politically active family, which influenced his future career in politics and organized crime.

Political career

Enoch L. Johnson

Johnson began his political career as the undersheriff of Atlantic County, a position he inherited from his father. He quickly rose through the ranks of the local Republican Party, becoming the treasurer of the county in 1908. By 1911, he was the secretary of the powerful Atlantic County Republican Executive Committee.

Control of Atlantic City

Johnson's influence in Atlantic City grew as he became the leader of the Republican political machine. He was known for his ability to control elections and maintain power through a combination of patronage, bribery, and intimidation. Under his leadership, Atlantic City became a major destination for tourists seeking entertainment, gambling, and alcohol during the Prohibition era.

Involvement in organized crime

Johnson's control over Atlantic City extended to organized crime. He was involved in bootlegging, gambling, and prostitution, which were lucrative enterprises during Prohibition. Johnson's ability to maintain order and control over these activities earned him the nickname "The Czar of the Ritz."

Downfall and imprisonment

In 1939, Johnson was indicted for tax evasion, a common charge used to prosecute organized crime figures at the time. He was convicted in 1941 and sentenced to ten years in federal prison. Johnson served four years before being released on parole in 1945.

Later life and death

After his release from prison, Johnson lived a relatively quiet life in Atlantic City. He worked as a salesman and lived modestly until his death on December 9, 1968.

Legacy

Johnson's life and career have been the subject of various books and media portrayals, most notably the character of Nucky Thompson in the television series Boardwalk Empire, which is loosely based on Johnson's life.

Related pages

• Atlantic City, New Jersey
• Prohibition in the United States
• Boardwalk Empire