Joseph Cassidy (politician)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Cassidy sometimes known as "Curley Joe," was a Democratic
politician from Queens
, New York City
. He wielded a large amount of political power in the early 1900s, although he was frequently accused of abusing this power.
Cassidy's first controversy arose when he was elected alderman of Long Island City, Queens
while simultaneously holding the appointed office of excise commissioner. Despite this apparent conflict of interest, he did not resign either of the positions, and won the right to hold both jobs after a court battle.
He became popular within the Democratic party and in 1902 won the first of two terms as Borough President
. Although he was thought of as a political dictator, he presided over a large amount of infrastructure and real estate development in Queens, earning him the nickname "the King of Queens." Despite an annual salary of $5,000 as Borough President, he leveraged these offices to become very wealthy, having amassed a half million dollars in real estate during his tenure.
His wealth and spending were well known. In his obituary, The New York Times
wrote:
Cassidy was accused of 47 different counts of financial impropriety by Queens residents during his time in office; these were investigated and 24 were upheld by Mayor Seth Low
's administration, but no charges stemming from these accusations were ever brought against Cassidy.
Cassidy lost re-election in 1905 to reform candidate Joseph Bermel
but remained active in party politics. He still exercised great influence, which he used to his financial advantage. In 1912, he was indicted on charges of attempting to sell a nomination to the New York Supreme Court
bench to William Willet for $30,000. Cassidy and Willet were both convicted of the scheme, with Cassidy sentenced to a year in Sing Sing Prison.
He was paroled in early 1916 and did not attempt to go back to politics. He was indicted by a Nassau County
grand jury in 1920 on gambling charges, but died in his Far Rockaway
home of apoplexy
later that year.
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...
politician from Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He wielded a large amount of political power in the early 1900s, although he was frequently accused of abusing this power.
Cassidy's first controversy arose when he was elected alderman of Long Island City, Queens
Long Island City, Queens
Long Island City is the westernmost neighborhood of the borough of Queens in New York City. L.I.C. is notable for its rapid and ongoing gentrification, its waterfront parks, and its thriving arts community. L.I.C. has among the highest concentration of art galleries, art institutions, and studio...
while simultaneously holding the appointed office of excise commissioner. Despite this apparent conflict of interest, he did not resign either of the positions, and won the right to hold both jobs after a court battle.
He became popular within the Democratic party and in 1902 won the first of two terms as Borough President
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
. Although he was thought of as a political dictator, he presided over a large amount of infrastructure and real estate development in Queens, earning him the nickname "the King of Queens." Despite an annual salary of $5,000 as Borough President, he leveraged these offices to become very wealthy, having amassed a half million dollars in real estate during his tenure.
His wealth and spending were well known. In his obituary, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
wrote:
Cassidy's expenditures during his two terms as Borough President were regal. He owned a steam yacht and an automobile, a string of fast trotters, a stock farm in California, a house in Long Island City and a country home in Far Rockaway. He was also a chicken fancier, and his game cocks were known from one end of the country to the other.
Cassidy was accused of 47 different counts of financial impropriety by Queens residents during his time in office; these were investigated and 24 were upheld by Mayor Seth Low
Seth Low
Seth Low , born in Brooklyn, New York, was an American educator and political figure who served as mayor of Brooklyn, as President of Columbia University, as diplomatic representative of the United States, and as Mayor of New York City...
's administration, but no charges stemming from these accusations were ever brought against Cassidy.
Cassidy lost re-election in 1905 to reform candidate Joseph Bermel
Joseph Bermel
Joseph Bermel was a Democratic politician from Queens, New York, USA. He is best known for resigning from the post of Borough President for his involvement in a corruption scandal, upon which he fled the country in 1908....
but remained active in party politics. He still exercised great influence, which he used to his financial advantage. In 1912, he was indicted on charges of attempting to sell a nomination to the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
bench to William Willet for $30,000. Cassidy and Willet were both convicted of the scheme, with Cassidy sentenced to a year in Sing Sing Prison.
He was paroled in early 1916 and did not attempt to go back to politics. He was indicted by a Nassau County
Nassau County, New York
Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532...
grand jury in 1920 on gambling charges, but died in his Far Rockaway
Far Rockaway, Queens
Far Rockaway is a neighborhood on the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York City borough of Queens in the United States. It is the easternmost section of the Rockaways. The neighborhood starts at the Nassau County line and extends west to Beach 32nd Street. The neighborhood is part of Queens Community...
home of apoplexy
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
later that year.