Jack Pollack

Pollack was born in Baltimore, Maryland and lived in a home near the intersection of Wilson and Exeter Streets during his childhood.[1] However, the death of his mother at age 13 and the death of his father at age 15 forced him to quit school and live on the streets.[1] Pollack found his place in the streets of Baltimore through competitive boxing. Pollack travelled the country competing for $1,500 dollar purses in lightweight title fights.[1] At 175 pounds Pollack was a stout fighter who won acclaim for fighting men as much as 40 pounds heavier.[2]

Pollack also made a name for himself during prohibition as a whiskey-runner. From a residence on West Fayette Street, Pollack organized whiskey smuggling under the claimed profession of "chauffeur".[3] From 1921 to 1926, Pollack was arrested 13 times on charges that ranged from assault to murder.[1] Pollack was charged with the murder of Hugo Caplan in 1921 during the hijacking of a contraband whiskey truck. Two years later, Pollack was acquitted of the charges and the files disappeared from the State's Attorney's office in 1948.[1] Pollack gained some local fame within from his prohibition activities.

Pollack gained notoriety and political success during the 1930s with the creation of the Trenton Democratic Club.[1] He used his ties with Baltimore politician William Curran to form a political base amongst area Democrats.[2] Pollack saw major involvement in the Baltimore court system as a tool for political success. His relationships with jurists made him well known for payoffs, bribery, and corruption. In 1954, he beat a charge on obstruction of justice in which he pressured defendants in a series of corruption trials.[4] Pollack was well respected despite some blatant criminal activity while in politics. He was appointed to the Maryland State Athletic Commission in 1933 by Governor Albert Ritchie.[1]

Pollack remained active in politics until his death from cancer on 14 March 1977 at University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.[1]