Harrison A. Williams

Harrison Arlington Williams ( born December 10, 1919 in Plainfield, New Jersey, † 17 November 2001 in Denville, New Jersey ) was an American politician (Democratic Party), who represented the State of New Jersey in both chambers of Congress. He was sentenced as part of Operation Abscam FBI.

Life

After completing his studies at Georgetown University and his time with the United States Navy Harrison Williams made in 1948 graduated from the Law School of Columbia University, after which he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in New Hampshire. In 1949 he moved his office to his hometown Plainfield.

After Williams embarked on a political career. He stood as a candidate in 1951, unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives from New Jersey. Thereafter, however, he sat as representative of his country from 1953 to 1957 in the House and from 1959 to 1982 in the Senate of the United States. He was committed to the expansion of welfare programs and public transport. He also championed the interests of workers as better pensions and health care, as well as health and safety legislation (eg the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ) a. The 1968 adopted, called Williams Act, bears his name. Harrison Williams is one of a number of politicians who acknowledged their alcohol addiction.

Corruption and operation Abscam

To combat corruption and trafficking in stolen goods in 1978 the FBI launched Operation Abscam. In this context, the investigating authorities established the company " Abdul Enterprises, Ltd.. " and undercover FBI agents posing as businessmen from the Middle East. In secret meetings with government officials, which were recorded on video, the agents promised this money in return for political support in favor of an unnamed sheikh. Williams was convicted of taking bribes and resigned. He was for over 80 years, the first U.S. Senator who had to play a prison sentence. In 1986 he was released from prison and died in 2001 cancer suffering from heart failure. A complaint made to U.S. President Bill Clinton asking for clemency in the wake of a presidential pardon was rejected.

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