Murphy's Unlawful Rise: Breaking Rules, Making Millions

Murphy, an Irish immigrant to the United States, was a Union Army veteran, Grand Army of the Republic member, Republican Party ward heeler, racketeer, Old West businessman, and gunman. He became wealthy by overcharging the US government for supplying food to the Mescalero population. He also owned the hotel, brewery, and bank in his territory.

Murphy overcharged the US government for supplying food to the Mescalero population

Murphy, an Irish immigrant to the United States, was a businessman and a primary instigator of the Lincoln County War. He became a prominent figure among law enforcement officers and was able to control the sheriffs that worked in his territory. He also owned the hotel, brewery, and bank in Lincoln County.

Murphy's most notable scam involved overcharging the US government for supplying food to the Mescalero population. The Mescalero population was 325, but Murphy billed the government for supplying food to 2,679 people. This scam brought him $125,000 in 2 years.

Murphy's fraudulent activities, his influence over law enforcement, and his monopolization of local businesses in Lincoln County, New Mexico, were the primary ways in which he broke the law to become wealthy.

Murphy bribed law enforcement officers

Corruption is a significant factor in the accumulation of extreme wealth. It involves the misuse of power to gain private economic benefits, often at the expense of others. This can take the form of bribery, extortion, nepotism, cronyism, or coercion.

By bribing law enforcement officers, Murphy was able to exert influence over them and use their power to his advantage. This type of corruption is often referred to as "greasing the wheel," where individuals or organizations use their resources to gain favor or benefit from those in positions of authority.

In addition to bribery, other forms of corruption can also contribute to the accumulation of wealth. This includes tax evasion, where individuals or corporations find ways to reduce their tax liability illegally, and lobbying, where economic elites use their resources to influence government policies in their favor.

The impact of corruption on wealth inequality is significant. It increases the gap between the rich and the poor by allowing the wealthy to secure favorable government actions, gain access to privileged information, and exploit regulatory loopholes.

Furthermore, corruption can also affect economic growth, development, and social well-being. It deters economic growth, reduces tax revenues, and undermines the value of democracy by concentrating power in the hands of a few.

Overall, Murphy's bribery of law enforcement officers is an example of how corruption can enable individuals to become wealthy by exerting influence and abusing power for private economic gain.

Murphy controlled the local sheriffs

Murphy, an Irish immigrant to the United States, was a powerful figure in Lincoln County, New Mexico, in the late 1870s. He was a businessman and a key instigator of the Lincoln County War, which was fought for economic supremacy in the region. Murphy had a strong influence over law enforcement officers, including the Lincoln County Sheriff, William Brady, who was also Murphy's war buddy.

Murphy bribed local sheriffs to ensure that he faced no competition in his business dealings. He gave them "pocket money" so that he could control the sheriffs that worked in his territory. This allowed him to operate without any rivals and conduct his business affairs with impunity.

Murphy's control over local law enforcement was a significant factor in his rise to wealth and power in Lincoln County. By bribing sheriffs and other officials, he was able to operate outside the law and consolidate his dominance in the region. This ultimately led to the Lincoln County War, which erupted due to the tensions and rivalries between Murphy and other powerful figures in the area.

Murphy ensured he had no competitors

Murphy also became a really influential figure among law enforcement officers. He was a Civil War veteran, cattleman, and businessman. He was born in Ireland and immigrated to the United States sometime before the Civil War.

Murphy owned the hotel, brewery, bank and had a war buddy as sheriff

Murphy, an Irish immigrant to the United States, was a powerful figure in Lincoln County, New Mexico. He owned the hotel, brewery, and bank, and had a war buddy, William Brady, as the sheriff. Murphy used his wealth and influence to control the local law enforcement and ensure he faced no competition in his business dealings.

Murphy's most notable scam involved defrauding the US government. He billed the government for supplying food to 2,679 people when the Mescalero population was only 325. This scheme earned him $125,000 in just two years.

Murphy was also one of the main instigators of the Lincoln County War, which lasted from February 18, 1878, to February 18, 1879. The conflict arose from his rivalry with James Dolan, as they fought for economic supremacy in the county.

Murphy's actions exemplify how he broke the law and amassed wealth through corruption, fraud, and abuse of power.

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