Ernest C. Stasiun

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Ernest C. Stasiun
Member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council from the 1st District
In office
1957–1965
Preceded byJoseph P. Dupont
Succeeded byNicholas W. Mitchell
Personal details
BornFebruary 20, 1923
New Bedford, Massachusetts
DiedFebruary 12, 1992 (aged 68)
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceFairhaven, Massachusetts
Alma materAlliance College
Brown University
Columbia University

Ernest C. Stasiun (February 20, 1923 – February 12, 1992) was an American politician who served on the Massachusetts Governor's Council from 1959 to 1965. He was convicted of bribery in 1965.

Early life[edit]

Stasiun was born on February 20, 1923, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. During World War II he served in the United States Navy. He graduated from New Bedford High School, Alliance College, Brown University, and Columbia University and afterwards worked as a Doctor of optometry.[1][2]

Politics[edit]

Stasiun's first run for political office was in 1958, when he ran for the vacant Governor's Council seat in the 1st District.[3] He defeated Republican Frankland W. L. Miles 55% to 45% in what was seen as a tossup race.[4] In 1960 he was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, but withdrew in favor of Edward F. McLaughlin Jr. and was reelected to the Governor's Council.[2] In 1963, Stasiun attempted to secure the position of registrar of motor vehicles after the Council refused to approve Governor Endicott Peabody's nominee.[5]

Bribery convictions[edit]

On September 11, 1963, Stasiun, his cousin, and the former city registrar of Fall River, Massachusetts, were indicted on bribery charges related to the leasing of the Registry of Motor Vehicles office in New Bedford.[6] On January 28, 1964, he was found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail.[7] While out on appeal, Stasiun ran for reelection. He was defeated in the Democratic primary by Nicholas W. Mitchell.[8] On April 22, 1965, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court found that Judge Amadeo V. Sgarzi issued erroneous instructions to the jury and ordered a new trial for Stasiun and his co-defendants.[9]

On October 13, 1964, Stasiun was 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.[10] On September 28, 1965, Stasiun, Joseph Ray Crimmins, Raymond F. Sullivan, and Michael Favulli were found guilty of conspiracy and requesting bribes in connection with DiNatale's reappointment.[11] He was sentenced to two years in jail and began serving his sentence on October 22, 1965.[12] 3 days later he pleaded guilty in the Registry of Motor Vehicles case and was sentenced two years to be served concurrently with his other sentence.[13] He was granted patrol on May 5, 1966.[14] Stasiun died on February 12, 1992.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1963-64. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Profiles of 3 Men Named in Bribery". The Boston Globe. September 12, 1963.
  3. ^ Lewis, William J. (October 1, 1958). "Doctor Vs. Judge in 1st District". The Boston Daily Globe.
  4. ^ Election Statistics; The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1958.
  5. ^ Healy, Robert (April 10, 1963). "The Political Circuit: Stasiun Seeks Registrar Job". The Boston Globe.
  6. ^ Wysocki, Ronald A. (September 12, 1963). "Executive Councilor, 2 Others Indicted". The Boston Globe.
  7. ^ Wysocki, Ronald A. (January 29, 1964). "Stasiun: 2 Yrs. Others: Mercy". The Boston Globe.
  8. ^ Harris, Frank P. (September 12, 1964). "Stasiun Loses Council Seat". The Boston Globe.
  9. ^ Harvey, Joseph M. (April 23, 1965). "Order New Trial for Stasiun". The Boston Globe.
  10. ^ "Furcolo, Former Governor, Indicted In Massachusetts: He and 4 Other Politicians Charged With Conspiring To Arrange for a Bribe". The Wall Street Journal. October 14, 1964.
  11. ^ Negri, Gloria (September 29, 1965). "4 Councilors Guilty of Bribes, Conspiracy". The Boston Globe.
  12. ^ "Stasiun Drops Appeal, Starts 2-Year Term". The Boston Globe. October 22, 1965.
  13. ^ "Stasiun Jailed in 2d Bribe Case". The Boston Globe. October 26, 1965.
  14. ^ "Parole Board Frees Stasiun". The Boston Globe. May 6, 1966.
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