Frank Mazzei
Frank Mazzei | |
|---|---|
 Mazzei in 1977 | |
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 43rd district | |
| In office November 29, 1967[1] – June 2, 1975[2] | |
| Preceded by | John Devlin |
| Succeeded by | James Romanelli |
| Constituency | Parts of Allegheny County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 22, 1912 Greensburg, Pennsylvania[3] |
| Died | September 27, 1977 (aged 64) Magee-Womens Hospital |
| Resting place | Queen of Heaven Cemetery Peters Township[4] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Grace[4] |
| Children | Dominic[4] |
| Residence | Library, Pennsylvania[4] |
Frank Mazzei (November 22, 1912 – September 27, 1977) is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate.[5] One of his big accomplishments during his political career was creation of the Pennsylvania Lottery. In 1975 he was arrested for taking kickbacks and was jailed until 1977.[6]
Biography[edit]
He began his career as a ward captain in the 17th ward in the South Side in Pittsburgh and later worked as a clerk and paymaster for the "Allegheny County Workhouse."[4] He served as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1956 and 1964.[3] He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.[3]
He was elected to represent the 43rd senatorial district in the Pennsylvania State Senate in a special election in 1967.[1] He was known as a "dapper dresser" and for his monogrammed shirts.[4] He was powerful politician who rarely needed to campaign.[4] His legislative career is best known for being the main force behind the creation of the Pennsylvania Lottery.[4]
Arrest and conviction[edit]
He was convicted on federal extortion charges for taking $20,000 in kickbacks on state office in the South Side space leased to BMI Corporation.[4] He was acquitted of perjury charges in that same trial,[4] but was sentenced to 1 to 5 years in prison on others.[4] He was unanimously expelled from the Pennsylvania State Senate on June 2, 1975, making him the first person ever expelled from that chamber.[2][7] He entered federal prison in December 1975.[4]
Release[edit]
He was paroled from a federal prison facility in Missouri in Spring 1977 because he was severely stricken with cancer.[4] At the time of his death on September 27, 1977, he was awaiting a separate federal trial, with 69 co-defendants, in connection to a bail bond scheme.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Cox, Harold (2004). "Pennsylvania Senate - 1967-1968" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- ^ a b Cox, Harold (2004). "Pennsylvania Senate - 1975-1976" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- ^ a b c Kestenbaum, Lawrence (March 24, 2009). "Index to Politicians: Mayne to Mcallen". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Frank Mazzei Dies, State Ex-Senator, 64". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 28, 1977.
- ^ Cox, Harold. "Senate Members M". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- ^ "United States of America, Appellee, v. Frank Mazzei, Appellant, 521 F.2d 639 (3d Cir. 1975)".
- ^ "FRANK MAZZEI, A SENATOR EXPELLED IN PENNSYLVANIA". The New York Times. September 28, 1977.
- 1912 births
- 1977 deaths
- Democratic Party Pennsylvania state senators
- Politicians from Pittsburgh
- Deaths from cancer in Pennsylvania
- Politicians convicted of extortion under color of official right
- Pennsylvania politicians convicted of crimes
- 20th-century American legislators
- 20th-century Pennsylvania politicians