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Jimmy Walker
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==Scandal and resignation== {{main|Hofstadter Committee}}{{Tone|section|date=September 2024}} Increasing social unrest led to investigations into corruption within Walker's administration, and he was eventually forced to testify before the investigative committee of Judge [[Samuel Seabury (judge)|Samuel Seabury]], the [[Seabury Commission]] (also known as the Hofstadter Committee). Walker caused his own downfall by accepting large sums of money from businessmen looking for municipal contracts.<ref name="Jackson" /> One surprise witness in the Seabury investigation was Vivian Gordon. She informed the investigators that women were falsely arrested and accused of [[prostitution]] by the [[New York City Police Department]]. Police officers were given more money in their paychecks. After her testimony, Gordon was suspiciously found strangled in a park in the Bronx. The incident demonstrated to New Yorkers that corruption could lead to terrible consequences, and led to suspicion that Walker might ultimately, in some way, have been responsible for her death.<ref name=Golway>Golway, Terry. [http://observer.com/2000/01/the-making-of-fdr-1932-a-rollicking-new-york-tale/ "The Making of F.D.R., 1932: A Rollicking New York Tale"], ''[[The New York Observer]]'', October 1, 2000. Retrieved November 3, 2013.</ref> With New York City appearing as a symbol of corruption under Mayor Walker, Governor [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] knew he had to do something about Walker and his administration. Knowing that the state constitution could allow an elected mayor to be removed from office, Roosevelt felt compelled to do so but risked losing Tammany Hall's support for the Democratic nomination for president. On the other hand, if Roosevelt did nothing or let Walker off, the national newspapers would consider him weak.<ref name=Golway /> Facing pressure from Roosevelt, Walker eluded questions about his personal bank accounts, stating instead that the amounts he received were "beneficences" and not bribes.<ref name=Connolly /> He delayed any personal appearances until after [[1932 Democratic National Convention|Roosevelt's nomination]] was secured. It was then that the embattled mayor could fight no longer. Months from his [[1932 United States presidential election|national election]], Roosevelt decided that he must remove Walker from office. Walker agreed and resigned on September 1, 1932. [[File:Jimmy Walker.JPG|thumb|The grave of Jimmy Walker in [[Gate of Heaven Cemetery]]]]
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