Lee Alexander (politician)

Lee Alexander
49th Mayor of Syracuse, New York
In office
1970–1985
Preceded byWilliam F. Walsh
Succeeded byThomas Ganley Young
35th President of the United States Conference of Mayors
In office
1977–1978
Preceded byKenneth A. Gibson
Succeeded byWilliam H. McNichols Jr.
Personal details
BornMay 18, 1927
Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedDecember 25, 1996 (aged 69)
Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Alma materSyracuse University
Syracuse University College of Law (JD)

Lee Alexander (May 18, 1927 – December 25, 1996) was an American attorney and politician who served as the mayor of Syracuse, New York for 16 years.[1]

Career

Alexander was born in Jersey City, New Jersey.[1] He served in the United States Army at the end of World War II.[1] He then graduated from Syracuse University in 1950 and Syracuse University College of Law in 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 the United States Conference of Mayors in 1977 and 1978, and was elected six times as the president of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors.

He unsuccessfully ran for the United States Senate in 1974, coming in second place in the Democratic primary after former United States Attorney General Ramsey Clark.

Conviction

After Frederick Scullin was nominated to serve as a United States Attorney, a probe was established after rumors surfaced about Alexander's relationships with city contractors. Eventually, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service joined the investigation.[3]

On July 16, 1987, Alexander was indicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York on 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

Alexander died at his home of cancer on December 25, 1996.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Van Gelder, Lawrence (December 27, 1996). "Lee Alexander, 69, Mayor Whose Career Ended in Jail". New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  2. ^ "Elizabeth Alexander". Legacy.com.
  3. ^ "The Rise and Fall of a Mayor: From Up and Coming to Prison-Bound". Los Angeles Times. 1988-03-06. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  4. ^ Boostin, Robert O. (July 18, 1987). "8 Plead Guilty in Syracuse Kickback Case". New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  5. ^ Lynn, Frank (February 7, 1988). "Ex-Syracuse Mayor's Schemes Detailed in Memo". New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  6. ^ Gelder, Lawrence Van (1996-12-27). "Lee Alexander, 69, Mayor Whose Career Ended in Jail". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Syracuse, New York
1970–1985 		Succeeded by
Thomas Ganley Young