My Activities vanted to build the bridge needed approval from city officials Tweed demanded a large bribe to make it happen Tweed also demanded that he be made apart owner of the bridge company itself The bribe money was paid Tweed was made a part owner of the company and the approval was given City bosses could also accept payments from criminal enterprises in exchange for protection from police interference with their activities In New York City for example protection money paid by gambling and prostitution offered Boss Tweed s political machine a steady source of income during the mid 19th century Boss Tweed was finally exposed for his crimes He was first arrested in 1871 and later convicted of fraud and extortion He died in jail in 1878 Boss Tweed impacted New York City in positive ways as well He pushed for real improvements to the city s schools hospitals roads and the city water system Supporters of his organization made it a point to give help to the immigrants and other poor people of the city This help no matter how small would be remembered for a long time When Tweed died thousands of New Yorkers attended his funeral The famous political cartoon below shows the ghost of Boss Tweed still haunting his jail cell years later Why was Boss Tweed sentenced to serve 12 years in prison O He ridiculed other politicians with cartoons O He was convicted of fraud and extortion O He did not solve the city s problems ad stole elections 17 18 21 25 29 37 22 41 26 33 34 30 38 42