TIL: A member of Al Capone's gang promised federal agent Eliot Ness that $2000 (around $33,250 in today's money) would be on his desk every Monday if he turned a blind eye to their bootlegging. Ness refused the bribe and in later years struggled with money; he died almost broke at the age of 54.

What proof would the mob have?

The same reason we know he didnt take the bribe. A meeting or phonecall happened where Ness was offered a shit ton of cash. Ness reported this to his superiors. Had the Mob taken a photo or recorded that meeting and conversation and Ness didnt report it. That's a huge red flag. If the mob has proof they offered him cash and he didnt report it that's more than enough for him to lose his job.

Why would it matter if the mailroom guy knew Elliott Ness gets a package every so often? 

50 bucks and mail guy takes photos of every bit of mail Ness recieved. Oh Ness didnt report getting these bags of cash... hmmm seems like more evidence. Hell I've gotten other peoples mail and id notice if it had 2000in cash and not a letter in it. Mail guy fucks up once and you're done

Again, why would anyone care that Elliott Ness is taking envelopes from his desk?

Because cops are notorious for minding their own business? God no. Cops are deep into one another's shit all the time. And mailing illegal shit like clock work to an FBI field office. People are going to notice.

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