Buddy Fortunato

Angelo Joseph Fortunato (born March 19, 1946), also known as Buddy Fortunato, is an American newspaper publisher and Democratic Party politician who served four terms in the New Jersey General Assembly.

A. Joseph "Buddy" Fortunato
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 27th district
In office January 10, 1978 – January 12, 1982
Preceded by	John N. Dennis
Succeeded by	Mildred Barry Garvin Harry A. McEnroe
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 30th district
In office January 12, 1982 – January 13, 1986
Preceded by	Michael F. Adubato Anthony Imperiale
Succeeded by	Marion Crecco John V. Kelly
Personal details
Born	March 19, 1946 Orange, New Jersey
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Glen Ridge, New Jersey
Alma mater	Rider College
Occupation	Newspaper publisher

Biography

Fortunato was born in Orange, New Jersey in 1946. He graduated from Montclair High School where he received all-state high school honors in baseball and football. He then attended Rider College where he graduated in 1968. Since 1971, he has been executive of The Italian Tribune, a Newark-based publication focused primarily on Italian American culture.[1]

In 1977, Fortunato, a resident of Glen Ridge, was elected to the General Assembly from the 27th district encompassing the northern suburbs of Essex County. He came in second place behind incumbent Republican Carl Orechio.[2] In the next election in 1979, Fortunato placed first in the election ahead of Orechio.[3] After redistricting in 1981, the northern Essex district was slightly reconfigured and renumbered the 30th district. Fortunato came in first in the 1981 election ahead of Republican John V. Kelly.[4] He again was reelected in 1983 but for the first time his Democratic running mate, Steve Adubato Jr., was also elected.[5] During the 1984–1985 Assembly session, he was chairman of the Committee on Independent Authorities and Commissions and vice chair of the Transportation and Communications Committee.[1]

In April 1985, he was indicted on allegedly accepting a bribe of $2,000 in exchange for getting the sons of Clifton resident Vito Maglione jobs at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.[6][7] The indictment plus the strong coat tails of Republican Thomas Kean in the gubernatorial election led to the defeat of Fortunato and Adubato by Republicans Kelly and Marion Crecco.[8] Fortunato was later acquitted of the bribery charges in 1987 and attempted to stage a comeback to the Assembly in 1989.[7] However, he was narrowly defeated in the general election by Kelly and Crecco.[9]

References

1. Fitzgerald, J. A. (1985). Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
2. "Results of the General Election Held November 8, 1977" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
3. "Results of the General Election Held on November 6, 1979" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 28, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
4. "Candidates for the Offices of State Senate and General Assembly" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
5. "Candidates for the Offices of State Senate and General Assembly" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
6. "Essex assemblyman indicted". Asbury Park Press. May 1, 1985. Retrieved March 16, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Associated Press (April 25, 1987). "METRO DATELINES; Fortunato Acquitted In Jersey Bribe Case". The New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
8. "Candidates for the Office of General Assembly" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
9. "Candidates for the Office of General Assembly" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.