Lee Alexander (politician)
Lee Alexander | |
---|---|
49thMayor of Syracuse, New York | |
In office 1970–1985 | |
Preceded by | William F. Walsh |
Succeeded by | Thomas Ganley Young |
35thPresident of the United States Conference of Mayors | |
In office 1977–1978 | |
Preceded by | Kenneth A. Gibson |
Succeeded by | William H. McNichols Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | May 18, 1927 Jersey City, New Jersey,U.S. |
Died | December 25, 1996 (aged 69) Syracuse, New York,U.S. |
Alma mater | Syracuse University Syracuse University College of Law(JD) |
Lee Alexander(May 18, 1927 – December 25, 1996) was an American attorney and politician who served as themayorofSyracuse, New Yorkfor 16 years.[1]
Career[edit]
Alexander was born inJersey City, New Jersey.[1]He served in theUnited States Armyat the end ofWorld War II.[1]He then graduated fromSyracuse Universityin 1950 andSyracuse University College of Lawin 1955.[1][2]Alexander practiced law in Syracuse.[1]In 1966 he won election to the Syracuse City Council.[1]
He was elected as mayor of Syracuse in 1969, and served from 1970 to 1985.[1]He also served as the president of theUnited States Conference of Mayorsin 1977 and 1978, and was elected six times as the president of theNational Conference of Democratic Mayors.
He unsuccessfully ran for theUnited States Senate in 1974,coming in second place in the Democratic primary after former United States Attorney GeneralRamsey Clark.
Conviction[edit]
AfterFrederick Scullinwas nominated to serve as aUnited States Attorney,a probe was established after rumors surfaced about Alexander's relationships with city contractors. Eventually, theFederal Bureau of InvestigationandInternal Revenue Servicejoined the investigation.[3]
On July 16, 1987, Alexander was indicted in theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of New Yorkon 40 counts of extortion, income tax evasion, racketeering and conspiracy.[4]In January 1988, Alexander pleaded guilty to racketeering and extortion, conspiracy to obstruct the Government's investigation and income-tax evasion on at least $1.2 million in bribes and kickbacks.[5]As part of a plea bargain, he agreed to serve 10 years in prison and pay a $100,000 fine. Alexander spent nearly six years in jail for his crimes and was released from prison in 1994.[1]
Death[edit]
Alexander died at his home of cancer on December 25, 1996.[6]
References[edit]
- ^abcdefghVan Gelder, Lawrence (December 27, 1996)."Lee Alexander, 69, Mayor Whose Career Ended in Jail".New York Times.RetrievedAugust 28,2012.
- ^"Elizabeth Alexander".Legacy.com.
- ^"The Rise and Fall of a Mayor: From Up and Coming to Prison-Bound".Los Angeles Times.1988-03-06.Retrieved2020-01-13.
- ^Boostin, Robert O. (July 18, 1987)."8 Plead Guilty in Syracuse Kickback Case".New York Times.RetrievedAugust 28,2012.
- ^Lynn, Frank (February 7, 1988)."Ex-Syracuse Mayor's Schemes Detailed in Memo".New York Times.RetrievedAugust 28,2012.
- ^Gelder, Lawrence Van (1996-12-27)."Lee Alexander, 69, Mayor Whose Career Ended in Jail".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2020-01-13.
- 1927 births
- 1996 deaths
- American people convicted of tax crimes
- American prisoners and detainees
- Deaths from cancer in New York (state)
- Mayors of Syracuse, New York
- Military personnel from New Jersey
- New York (state) Democrats
- New York (state) politicians convicted of crimes
- New York (state) politicians convicted of corruption
- Politicians convicted of extortion under color of official right
- Politicians convicted of racketeering
- Politicians from Jersey City, New Jersey
- 20th-century American politicians
- Presidents of the United States Conference of Mayors
- United States Army personnel of World War II