Rufus Elefante
Rufus Pasquale "Rufie" Elefante (April 11, 1903 – November 15, 1994) was an American political boss from Utica, New York. He was in control of the Democratic political organisation managing Utica's inner workings. During his reign from the 1930s up until the 1950s, Utica was known as "Sin City" because of Elefante's corruption and his suspected involvement in organized crime. Originally a devoted Republican, who worked as a trucker, he rose to power during the late 1920s and garnered the political support of Franklin D. Roosevelt who helped him climb up the political ladder and eventually become  the most powerful figure in Oneida County. Early life and career. Rufus Pasquale "Rufie" Elefante was born in Utica on April 11, 1903, the son of Pasquale and Angela Marie Pacillio Elefante. Always riled by how he believed Italian-Americans were inequitably treated in the city, he began to champion their cause, working to improve their lot particularly in the attainment of better employment without wage discrimination. At first, he did this with connections to the Republican Party, but in 1928, he switched allegiance to the Democratic Party and quickly became a powerful member of it, slowly attaining party leadership  — know then as machine politics headed by a party boss. Boss of Utica and later years. On 1928, Elefante supported Franklin D. Roosevelt in his quest for New York Governorship and managed his campaigns in Utica. Elefante found a prominent lifelong ally in Roosevelt. Elefante's power reached its zenith during the 1930s up until the 1960s, when he became a key element in the New York Democratic Party affairs and he ruled Utica, using a corrupt criminal and political system, relying on patronage. During Elefante's reign, Utica's industries prospered and criminal elements had a strong presence in  the city. Utica's most powerful mob bosses included American Mafia boss Salvatore Falcone, his brother, Joseph, and possibly Elefante himself. Utica's population today is very close to the half of its population, under Elefante's reign. However, Elefante has remained a very controversial figure in Utica politics. Elefante died on November 15, 1994. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Utica, NY.