I don't think theres any doubt about j.p. kennedy being a bootlegger, of course he was.costello is on record as saying such himself.he was in many ways worse than any mobster. he was a shameless rapist. 'sins of the father' is a no nonsence book aabout the old crook, written by Ronald Kessler.also franklin Roosevelt hated his guts. elonore Roosevelt spells that out in her book. he was a despicable human being.