Frank Mazzei
Encyclopedia
Frank Mazzei is a former Democratic
member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
. 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.
in Pittsburgh and later worked as a clerk and paymaster for the "Allegheny County Workhouse." He served as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention
in 1956
and 1964
. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus
.
He was elected to represent the 43rd senatorial district
in the Pennsylvania State Senate
in a special election in 1967. He was known as a "dapper dresser" and for his monogrammed shirts. He was powerful politician who rarely needed to campaign. His legislative career is best known for being the main force behind the creation of the Pennsylvania Lottery
.
charges for taking $20,000 in kickbacks on state office in the South Side space leased to BMI Corporation. He was acquitted of perjury charges in that same trial. He was sentenced to 1 to 5 years in prison. He was unanimously expelled from the Pennsylvania State Senate
on June 2, 1975, making him the first person ever expelled from that chamber. He entered federal prison in December 1975.
in Spring 1977 because he was severely stricken with cancer. 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.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
. One of his big accomplishments during his political career was creation of the Pennsylvania Lottery
Pennsylvania Lottery
The Pennsylvania Lottery is operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The lottery was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly on August 26, 1971; two months later, Henry Kaplan was appointed as its first executive director...
. In 1975 he was arrested for taking kickbacks and was jailed until 1977.
Biography
He began his career as a ward captain in the 17th ward in the South SideSouth Side (Pittsburgh)
South Side is an area in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, located along the Monongahela River across from Downtown Pittsburgh. The South Side is officially divided into two neighborhoods, South Side Flats and South Side Slopes. Both the Flats and the Slopes are represented on Pittsburgh City...
in Pittsburgh and later worked as a clerk and paymaster for the "Allegheny County Workhouse." He served as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
in 1956
1956 Democratic National Convention
The 1956 National Convention of the Democratic Party nominated former Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois for President and Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee for Vice President. It was held in the International Amphitheatre on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois August 13–17 1956. Unsuccessful...
and 1964
1964 Democratic National Convention
The 1964 Democratic National Convention was the 1964 presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party. It took place at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey from August 24 to 27, 1964. Incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson -- who had been Vice President under...
. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
.
He was elected to represent the 43rd senatorial district
Pennsylvania Senate, District 43
Pennsylvania's 43rd Senatorial District consists of parts of Allegheny County. It includes the following:City of PittsburghParts of Wards 4 [PART, Divisions 02, 14, 15, 16 and 17], 07, 14 [PART, Divisions 01 through 11, 15 through 41], 15, 16, 17 [PART, Division 04], 29 and 31.Allegheny County*Penn...
in the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
in a special election in 1967. He was known as a "dapper dresser" and for his monogrammed shirts. He was powerful politician who rarely needed to campaign. His legislative career is best known for being the main force behind the creation of the Pennsylvania Lottery
Pennsylvania Lottery
The Pennsylvania Lottery is operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The lottery was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly on August 26, 1971; two months later, Henry Kaplan was appointed as its first executive director...
.
Arrest and conviction
He was convicted on federal extortionExtortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
charges for taking $20,000 in kickbacks on state office in the South Side space leased to BMI Corporation. He was acquitted of perjury charges in that same trial. He was sentenced to 1 to 5 years in prison. He was unanimously expelled from the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
on June 2, 1975, making him the first person ever expelled from that chamber. He entered federal prison in December 1975.
Release
He was paroled from a federal prison facility in MissouriMissouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
in Spring 1977 because he was severely stricken with cancer. 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.