George E. Q. Johnson

George E. Q. Johnson (July 11, 1874 – September 19, 1949) was a United States Attorney in Chicago, Illinois who won tax evasion convictions of Al Capone and several of his associates. He briefly served as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

George E. Q. Johnson
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
In office August 3, 1932 – March 3, 1933
Appointed by	Herbert Hoover
Preceded by	Seat established by 46 Stat. 1417
Succeeded by	Philip Leo Sullivan
Personal details
Born	George E. Q. Johnson July 11, 1874 Lanyon, Iowa
Died	September 19, 1949 (aged 75)
Education	Tobin College (B.A.) Lake Forest College (LL.B.)

Education and career

Born in the unincorporated community of Lanyon, near Harcourt, Webster County, Iowa,[1] Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tobin College in Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1897 and a Bachelor of Laws from Lake Forest College in 1900. He was in private practice in Illinois from 1900 to 1927. He was a Master in Chancery for the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois from 1923 to 1927. He was the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois from 1927 to 1932.[2]

Capone prosecution

During his tenure as United States Attorney, Johnson was able to famously convict Al Capone for tax evasion. He had earlier won tax evasion convictions of Capone henchmen Ralph ("Bottles") Capone, Sam Guzick, and Frank Nitti.[3]

Federal judicial service

Johnson received a recess appointment from President Herbert Hoover on August 3, 1932, to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, to a new seat authorized by 46 Stat. 1417. He was nominated to the same position by President Hoover on December 7, 1932. The United States Senate never voted on his nomination. His service terminated on March 3, 1933, with the sine die adjournment of the second session of the 72nd United States Congress.[2]

Post judicial service and death

After leaving the federal bench, Johnson returned to private practice in Illinois until his death on September 19, 1949.[2]

References

1. Jonathan Eig, "Get Capone: The Secret Plot That Captured America's Most Wanted Gangster," p. 67 (2010), ISBN 1-4165-8059-X.
2. George E. Q. Johnson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
3. CRIME: Caponed Chicken, TIME Magazine, 1931-06-15.

Sources

• George E. Q. Johnson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.