May 18, 2007

As the state’s attorney general, future governor Carl Bailey became involved in a famous 1936 criminal case. Gangster “Lucky” Luciano fled to Hot Springs (Garland County) to avoid arrest in New York. Luciano was arrested by spa city officials but before extradition was released after posting a token bond. The New York prosecuting attorney appealed to Bailey for assistance. Bailey promptly refused a $50,000 bribe from the gangster and had him arrested by the state police and extradited to stand trial in New York.