Hugh Joseph Addonizio (January 31, 1914 – February 2, 1981) was an American

Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democratic Party (United States) Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to: Active parties Africa *Botswana Democratic Party *Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea *Gabonese Democratic Party *Demo ...

politician who was sentenced to prison for corruption. He was the 33rd Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, from 1962 to 1970, and a U.S. Congressman from 1949 to 1962.

Early life and education

Born in Newark to an Italian family, Addonizio attended West Side High School and played quarterback at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School. Addonizio graduated from

Fordham University Fordham University () is a Private university, private Jesuit universities, Jesuit research university in New York City. Established in 1841 and named after the Fordham, Bronx, Fordham neighborhood of the The Bronx, Bronx in which its origina ...

in New York City in 1939, attending with an athletic scholarship, and went to work for A&C Clothing Company, working for his father, where he became vice president in 1946.

World War II

During World War II he had served in the United States Army earning the

Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an e ...

; he served in North Africa, Italy and France. Addonizio was among the first Americans drafted in 1940, a year before Pearl Harbor. He rose from the rank of private, was discharged with the rank of captain, and was named to the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at

Fort Benning Fort Benning is a United States Army post near Columbus, Georgia, adjacent to the Alabama–Georgia border. Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family members, reserve component soldiers, retirees and civilian employees ...

Political career

In 1948, he ran for and won a seat in the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat, representing . He resigned his seat on June 30, 1962, to run for mayor of Newark. He ran on a reform platform, defeating what he characterized as the corrupt political machine of

Leo P. Carlin Leo P. Carlin (August 12, 1908 – December 17, 1999) was the Democratic Mayor of Newark, New Jersey from 1953 to 1962. Biography He was born on August 12, 1908, in Newark, New Jersey to Hugh Carlin and Annie Duffy. He was one of 22 chil ...

, who had been mayor since 1953.

Corruption investigation

Addonizio served as mayor from 1962 until 1970, when he lost his reelection bid. A state investigation into his administration, commenced following the

1967 Newark riots The 1967 Newark riots were an episode of violent, armed conflict in the streets of Newark, New Jersey, United States. Taking place over a four-day period (between July 12 and July 17, 1967), the Newark riots resulted in at least 26 deaths and ...

that occurred during his tenure, led to the discovery that he and other city officials were taking kickbacks from city contractors. In December 1969, he and nine current or former officials of the municipal administration in Newark were indicted by a federal grand jury; five other persons were also indicted. In July 1970, the former mayor and four other defendants were found guilty by a federal jury on 64 counts each, one of conspiracy and 63 of extortion. In September 1970, Addonizio was sentenced to ten years in federal prison and fined $25,000 by U.S. District Court Judge

George H. Barlow George Herbert Barlow (January 4, 1921 – March 4, 1979) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Education and career Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Barlow received a Bachelor of A ...

for his role in a plot that involved the extortion of $1.5 million in kickbacks, a crime that the judge said "tore at the very heart of our civilized society and our form of representative government". Addonizio served around half of his ten-year sentence before being released on parole.

Death

Addonizio died of cardiac arrest in 1981 and was interred in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

References

External links

* Retrieved on 2008-02-18. * {{DEFAULTSORT:Addonizio, Hugh Joseph 1914 births 1981 deaths 20th-century American politicians Burials at Gate of Heaven Cemetery (East Hanover, New Jersey) Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey Fordham Rams football players Mayors of Newark, New Jersey Military personnel from Newark, New Jersey New Jersey politicians convicted of corruption New Jersey politicians convicted of crimes Recipients of the Silver Star St. Benedict's Preparatory School alumni United States Army officers United States Army personnel of World War II West Side High School (New Jersey) alumni