Vincent R. Impellitteri

Vincent Richard Impellitteri ( born February 4, 1900 in Isnello, Sicily, † January 29, 1987 in Bridgeport, Connecticut ) was an American politician and lawyer. From 1950 to 1953 he was mayor of New York City.

Background and education

Vincent Impellitteri was born on February 4, 1900 as the son of shoemaker Salvatore Impellitteri in Sicily. The father emigrated with his family later in the United States, where he first settled in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and later in Ansonia, Connecticut. Impellitteri graduated in 1917 from the Ansonia High School and then served as a radio operator on a destroyer in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he attended evening Fordham University and worked during the day first as a bellhop, and later as a manager in a hotel on Broadway. In 1922 he became an American citizen. After he had successfully completed his law studies in 1924, he joined a private law firm in Martin Conboy, an influential Democrat worked. From 1929 to 1938 he worked for the prosecutor's office in Manhattan, and then returned to a private firm. Through his political contacts for the Democrats, whom he was close to since graduating in Fordham, 1941, he was personal secretary to Peter Schmuck, Judge of the New York State Supreme Court, and later by Judge Joseph A. Gavagan.

Political career

Although largely unknown, Impelliteri 1945 was elected with the support of William O'Dwyers, who ran for mayor, chairman of the City Council ( City Council). Crucial for Impellitteris choice as running mate was that he was regarded as honest, capable and loyal and should improve the electoral chances O'Dwyers at the Italian -born New Yorkers. The term of office O'Dwyers was overshadowed by numerous scandals and the cronyism between his government and the Democratic Party bosses of Tammany Hall, who had helped him into office. In 1950, another police scandal threatened to go public, O'Dwyer resigned on 1 September 1950 and Impellitteri was according to the New York City Charter acting mayor.

In the elections of November 1950, which took place because of the resignation O'Dwyers, Tammany Hall Impellitteri failed to support, so that it ran as an independent candidate. Impellitteris good reputation and his hostility to Tammany Hall he nevertheless helped to victory and he was sworn in on 14 November 1950 as the 101st Mayor of New York. Impellitteri tried to organize the city's finances and to fight corruption, especially in the police force. However, were part of his administration, which he had inherited from O'Dwyer, still burdened with corruption allegations, and although Impellitteri personally was always considered as a loud, he failed to win the trust of New Yorkers. Meanwhile, Tammany Hall was wiedererstarkt and supported Robert F. Wagner, who won the mayoral election in November 1953.

Later career

After being voted as Mayor Impellitteri was appointed by his successor Wagner to the judge and retired in 1965.

Impellitteri died on January 29, 1987 from heart failure and the effects of Parkinson 's disease.