Joseph Ray Crimmins

Joseph Ray Crimmins (November 10, 1921 – January 21, 1989) was an American politician who served on the Massachusetts Governor's Council from 1957 until his conviction for bribery in 1965.

Joseph Ray Crimmins
Member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council for the 6th District
In office
1957–1965
Preceded byLawrence Lloyd
Succeeded byG. Edward Bradley
Personal details
BornNovember 10, 1921
Cambridge, Massachusetts
DiedJanuary 21, 1989 (aged 67)
Hyannis, Massachusetts
Resting placeAncient Cemetery
Yarmouth, Massachusetts
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materHarvard University

Early life

Crimmins was born on November 10, 1921, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.[1] He attended Cambridge public schools and Harvard University. During World War II he served in the United States Navy’s submarine service in the South Pacific.[2] He settled in Somerville, Massachusetts, where he was engaged in the beverage and real estate businesses and was an insurance broker.[1][2]

Governor's Council and bribery conviction

In 1956, Crimmins defeated incumbent Lawrence Lloyd to win the 6th District seat on the Massachusetts Governor's Council.[3] It was his first bid for elected office.[2] On May 10, 1963, Crimmins, the chairman of the state housing board, and the head of the board's urban renewal program were indicted for conspiracy and accepting bribes in connection with state housing construction projects. Crimmins was indicted on two charges of soliciting and accepting bribes. The indictments came as a result as of an investigation by the Massachusetts Crime Commission.[4] On October 7, 1964, while still awaiting trial, Crimmins was indicted for conspiracy to request and accept bribes from an architect following a crime commission investigation into the state public works department.[5] Despite the indictments, Crimmins was reelected in 1964.[2]

Crimmins was also one of four councilors indicted for soliciting and accepting bribes from Governor Foster Furcolo in exchange for voting in favor of the reappointment of state public works commissioner Anthony N. DiNatale.[6] On September 28, 1965, Crimmins, Raymond F. Sullivan, Michael Favulli, and Ernest C. Stasiun were found guilty of conspiracy and requesting bribes in connection with DiNatale's reappointment. Crimmins was also found guilty of accepting a bribe in the case.[7] Crimmins resigned following his conviction.[8] Crimmins was sentenced to two and a half years to be served in the Middlesex House of Correction in Billerica, Massachusetts. He began his sentence on January 8, 1966.[9] Crimmins was released on parole on September 3, 1966.[10]

Later life

Crimmins spent his later years in Hyannis, Massachusetts. He died on January 21, 1989.[11]

References
  1. Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1957-58. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  2. "Principals in Bribery Trial". The Boston Globe. September 26, 1965.
  3. "Councilor Crimmins Will Be Honored at Banquet March 3". The Boston Globe. February 22, 1957.
  4. "Gov. Councilor, Two Housing Aides Indicted". The Boston Globe. May 11, 1963.
  5. Connolly, Richard J. (October 8, 1964). "DiNatale, 3 Other Officials Indicted". The Boston Globe.
  6. "Furcolo Trial On Today". The Boston Globe. September 20, 1965.
  7. Negri, Gloria (September 29, 1965). "4 Councilors Guilty of Bribes, Conspiracy". The Boston Globe.
  8. Leland, Timothy (September 20, 1965). "Take-It-or-Leave-It Tax Bill Due: Volpe's 4th Try Today?". The Boston Globe.
  9. "Crimmins Begins Jail Term". The Boston Globe. January 8, 1966.
  10. "Crimmins Wins Parole in 2d Bid". The Boston Globe. September 2, 1966.
  11. "Death". The Boston Globe. January 28, 1989.
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