Alvin Jay Paris
Childhood
Alvin Jay Paris was born on October 17, 1918, in The Bronx, New York. There is limited documented information about his early years and upbringing in the Bronx.
Career
Paris rose to notoriety as a bookmaker and gambler in New York City. His most significant role was serving as a "front man" for a gambling syndicate in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His criminal activities included fixing college sporting events by bribing star athletes, including the well-known boxer Rocky Graziano.
Beginning in 1940, Paris served in the armed forces during World War II, though details of his military service remain sparse.
The defining moment of Paris's criminal career came in December 1946, when he was recorded on federal wiretaps during an investigation conducted by Manhattan District Attorney Frank S. Hogan. The investigation revealed that Paris had attempted to bribe professional football players Merle Hapes and Frank Filchock of the New York Giants, offering each $2,500 to throw the 1946 NFL championship game against the Chicago Bears.
On January 8, 1947, Paris was convicted of bribery. During his trial, he declined to testify in his own defense. Later, he testified against his partners in the gambling syndicate—David Krakauer, Jerome Zarowitz, and Harvey Stemmer—which subsequently resulted in death threats against him. His sentencing was deferred until after the second trial, and on April 7, he received a one-year sentence, of which he served less than the full term before his release.
It's worth noting that his partner, Harvey Stemmer, had previously been involved in what is considered the first-ever gambling scandal in college basketball history, involving a 1945 match between Brooklyn College and the University of Akron.
Personal life
In 1950, Paris married Norah Mae Gagnon King in Orange, California. By 1977, records indicate that he had changed his name to Alvin J. Paley, though the reasons for this name change are not well-documented.
Paris and his wife Norah remained married until her death. Norah died in San Joaquin, California, on January 8, 1994, at the age of 75. Alvin Paley (formerly Paris) died on September 11, 2006, at the age of 87.
Legacy
Paris's attempt to fix the 1946 NFL championship game represents one of early professional football history's most significant gambling scandals. His case led to the suspension of players Merle Hapes and Frank Filchock by NFL commissioner Bert Bell, although both players were cleared of bribery charges (with Filchock being permitted to play in the final game against the Chicago Bears).
The scandal highlighted professional sports' vulnerability to gambling influence and contributed to the development of stricter regulations and oversight within professional football. Paris's case serves as a historical reminder of the ongoing battle between sports integrity and illegal gambling operations.
Frequently asked Questions
Alvin Jay Paris is most notorious for attempting to bribe two New York Giants football players, Merle Hapes and Frank Filchock, offering them $2,500 each to throw the 1946 NFL championship game against the Chicago Bears. This scandal became one of the most significant gambling-related controversies in early NFL history.
Records indicate that by 1977, Paris had changed his name to Alvin J. Paley. While the exact reasons for this name change are not well-documented, such changes are often made to establish a new identity, particularly after being associated with criminal activities or public scandals.
Paris served as a "front man" for a gambling syndicate based in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His responsibilities included approaching and bribing athletes to fix sporting events, thereby manipulating game outcomes to benefit the syndicate's betting operations.
While Merle Hapes and Frank Filchock were cleared of bribery charges, NFL commissioner Bert Bell initially suspended both. Filchock was allowed to play in the final game against the Chicago Bears, but the scandal significantly impacted both players' careers and reputations.
Yes, after his conviction, Paris testified against his partners in the gambling syndicate—David Krakauer, Jerome Zarowitz, and Harvey Stemmer. This cooperation reportedly led to death threats against him but may have contributed to his relatively short prison sentence of less than one year.
