Frank Mazzei

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]

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 byJohn Devlin
Succeeded byJames Romanelli
ConstituencyParts of Allegheny County
Personal details
BornNovember 22, 1912
Greensburg, Pennsylvania[3]
DiedSeptember 27, 1977(1977-09-27) (aged 64)
Magee-Womens Hospital
Resting placeQueen of Heaven Cemetery
Peters Township[4]
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Grace[4]
ChildrenDominic[4]
ResidenceLibrary, Pennsylvania[4]

Biography

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

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

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
  1. Cox, Harold (2004). "Pennsylvania Senate - 1967-1968" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
  2. Cox, Harold (2004). "Pennsylvania Senate - 1975-1976" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
  3. Kestenbaum, Lawrence (March 24, 2009). "Index to Politicians: Mayne to Mcallen". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  4. "Frank Mazzei Dies, State Ex-Senator, 64". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 28, 1977.
  5. Cox, Harold. "Senate Members M". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
  7. "FRANK MAZZEI, A SENATOR EXPELLED IN PENNSYLVANIA". The New York Times. September 28, 1977.
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