Stanley Steingut
Encyclopedia
Stanley Steingut was an American lawyer and politician.
. He attended the Peddie School
and Union College
. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II
, went on to graduate from St. John's University School of Law
and was admitted to the bar in 1950.
He was a Democratic member from Kings County of the New York State Assembly from 1953 to 1978, and was minority leader from 1969 to 1974, and Speaker
from 1975 to 1978.
In 1975, Steingut and his son Robert were indicted by a Brooklyn grand jury on corruption charges relating to Robert Steingut's election campaign for a New York City councilman-at-large seat. The New York Court of Appeals
dismissed the indictment on jurisdictional grounds in 1977.
In 1978, while the sitting Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Steingut was defeated when running for re-election to the Assembly. His defeat was ascribed by many political observers to inadequate attention to his home district. It was said that he had become too caught up in Albany
and state affairs. He was defeated in the 1978 Democratic primary by Murray Weinstein, a political unknown, who went on to beat him narrowly in the general election, in which Steingut ran as a Liberal
.
After losing his Assembly seat, he served more than a year as Chairman of the New York State Sports Authority. He also resumed the practice of law, initially as counsel to the firm of Baskin & Sears and later as the senior partner in the Manhattan
law firm of Berger & Steingut.
He had been suffering from lung cancer and died of pneumonia at the Tisch Hospital
.
He was a founder and a trustee of Touro College
. He received honorary degrees from Union College
and Polytechnic University.
He married Madeline Fellerman, and they had three children: Robert Steingut, an investment banker and former City Council member at large from Brooklyn
; Theodore Steingut; and Ilene Steingut Vallifuoco.
Life
Stanley Steingut was the son of New York State Assembly Speaker Irwin SteingutIrwin Steingut
Irwin Steingut was an American lawyer, businessman and politician.-Life:His father Simon Steingut was born in 1856 in Hamburg, and emigrated to the United States in 1873. He settled in New York City, and married Lena Wolbach who was born in Kiev...
. He attended the Peddie School
Peddie School
The Peddie School is a college preparatory school in Hightstown, New Jersey, United States. It is a nondenominational, coeducational boarding school located on a 280‑acre campus, and serves students in the ninth through twelfth grades, plus a small post-graduate class...
and Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, went on to graduate from St. John's University School of Law
St. John's University School of Law
St. John's University School of Law is a Roman Catholic law school in Queens, New York City, affiliated with St. John's University. The School of Law was founded in 1925, and confers Juris Doctor degrees and degrees for Master of Laws in Bankruptcy and Master of Laws in U.S. Studies. Over 13,000 St...
and was admitted to the bar in 1950.
He was a Democratic member from Kings County of the New York State Assembly from 1953 to 1978, and was minority leader from 1969 to 1974, and Speaker
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
The Speaker of the New York State Assembly is the highest official in the New York State Assembly, customarily elected from the ranks of the majority party....
from 1975 to 1978.
In 1975, Steingut and his son Robert were indicted by a Brooklyn grand jury on corruption charges relating to Robert Steingut's election campaign for a New York City councilman-at-large seat. The New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
dismissed the indictment on jurisdictional grounds in 1977.
In 1978, while the sitting Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Steingut was defeated when running for re-election to the Assembly. His defeat was ascribed by many political observers to inadequate attention to his home district. It was said that he had become too caught up in Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
and state affairs. He was defeated in the 1978 Democratic primary by Murray Weinstein, a political unknown, who went on to beat him narrowly in the general election, in which Steingut ran as a Liberal
Liberal Party of New York
The Liberal Party of New York is a minor American political party that has been active only in the state of New York. Its platform supports a standard set of social liberal policies: it supports right to abortion, increased spending on education, and universal health care.As of 2007, the Liberal...
.
After losing his Assembly seat, he served more than a year as Chairman of the New York State Sports Authority. He also resumed the practice of law, initially as counsel to the firm of Baskin & Sears and later as the senior partner in the Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
law firm of Berger & Steingut.
He had been suffering from lung cancer and died of pneumonia at the Tisch Hospital
New York University School of Medicine
The New York University School of Medicine is one of the graduate schools of New York University. Founded in 1841 as the University Medical College, the NYU School of Medicine is one of the foremost medical schools in the United States....
.
He was a founder and a trustee of Touro College
Touro College
Touro College is a sponsored independent institution of higher and professional education, in New York City, New York, United States. Founded by Dr. Bernard Lander, the College was established primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American community...
. He received honorary degrees from Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
and Polytechnic University.
He married Madeline Fellerman, and they had three children: Robert Steingut, an investment banker and former City Council member at large from Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
; Theodore Steingut; and Ilene Steingut Vallifuoco.
Sources
- http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE2DF103DF93AA35751C1A96F948260 Obit in NYT on December 9, 1989