Nucky

Enoch L. “Nucky” Johnson, the Republican powerhouse from Atlantic City, dominated New Jersey’s political landscape in the early part of the 20th century. This book is dedicated to permanently preserving and celebrating his colorful life and legacy before the recollections of his accomplishments disappear and are washed out to sea by the sands of time. I have taken the liberty of recreating some of the dialogue between Nucky and others. I based these conversations on details I discussed with Nucky during the two-year period I represented him during his criminal fine case. I also used excerpts from Nucky’s testimony before the U.S. Senate in 1928 and in his 1941 criminal trial, along with his depositions in his claim against The Saturday Evening Post and David Niven, and his interviews with the FBI in his application for pardon. These transcripts give us insights into Nucky’s true character through his own words. Many people also told me about the specific personal incidents they shared with Nucky, and are contained in this book. Marie Boyd, who worked in the Atlantic County Treasurer’s Office, was very close to Nucky and his wife Floss for many years. Boyd attended Nucky’s criminal trial, and she and her husband Jimmy, who was Nucky’s right-hand man, were my longtime clients. Senator Frank S. “Hap” Farley, Nucky’s successor and my law partner for 15 years, also shared a great deal of what he knew and remembered about Nucky. Even John Mooney, head of the Atlantic City Vice Squad, who was my client and friend for most of his life, spoke of Nucky in glowing terms. I also used the background of the actual events in Nucky’s life, from FBI reports, IRS records, trial transcripts, and others listed in the bibliography. All of these sources served to recreate the real life and times of Enoch L. “Nucky” Johnson.

Enoch L. “Nucky” Johnson, the Republican powerhouse from Atlantic City, dominated New Jersey’s political landscape in the early part of the 20th century. This book is dedicated to permanently preserving and celebrating his colorful life and legacy before the recollections of his accomplishments disappear and are washed out to sea by the sands of time. I have taken the liberty of recreating some of the dialogue between Nucky and others. I based these conversations on details I discussed with Nucky during the two-year period I represented him during his criminal fine case. I also used excerpts from Nucky’s testimony before the U.S. Senate in 1928 and in his 1941 criminal trial, along with his depositions in his claim against The Saturday Evening Post and David Niven, and his interviews with the FBI in his application for pardon. These transcripts give us insights into Nucky’s true character through his own words. Many people also told me about the specific personal incidents they shared with Nucky, and are contained in this book. Marie Boyd, who worked in the Atlantic County Treasurer’s Office, was very close to Nucky and his wife Floss for many years. Boyd attended Nucky’s criminal trial, and she and her husband Jimmy, who was Nucky’s right-hand man, were my longtime clients. Senator Frank S. “Hap” Farley, Nucky’s successor and my law partner for 15 years, also shared a great deal of what he knew and remembered about Nucky. Even John Mooney, head of the Atlantic City Vice Squad, who was my client and friend for most of his life, spoke of Nucky in glowing terms. I also used the background of the actual events in Nucky’s life, from FBI reports, IRS records, trial transcripts, and others listed in the bibliography. All of these sources served to recreate the real life and times of Enoch L. “Nucky” Johnson.

Frank J. Ferry is a partner in the Atlantic City, New Jersey law firm of Farley, Fredericks & Ferry, established in 1940. He was born and raised in Atlantic City and became a champion swimmer with the Atlantic City Beach Patrol before becoming interested in the City’s colorful political past. Ferry attended Ursinus College and after graduation, served in the U.S. Navy. In 1956 he graduated from Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C. and subsequently joined the law firm of Farley & Farley in Atlantic City. In 1958 Ferry was appointed by U.S. Attorney General William P. Rogers as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New Jersey. He was assigned to the Camden office and served 31/2 years in the U.S. Department of Justice. Ferry then returned to the law firm of Farley & Farley as partner, and the firm was renamed Farley, Fredericks & Ferry. For the next 15 years Ferry continued to work side by side with his law partner, Frank S. “Hap” Farley, who had been a New Jersey State Senator since his election in 1940. In 1964, Ferry first met and represented Nucky Johnson in a U.S. Department of Justice case against Johnson. Ferry successfully halted the government’s action to collect on a $20,000 fine stemming from Nucky’s previous conviction for tax evasion in 1941. They remained friends until Nucky’s death in 1968. This is Ferry’s first book. His second biography will detail the remarkable career of Senator Frank S. “Hap” Farley, who succeeded Nucky Johnson as the political leader and chairman of the Atlantic County Republican Party.