Lee Alexander (politician)

Lee Alexander (May 18, 1927 – December 25, 1996) served as mayor of Syracuse, New York for 16 years.^[1]

He was generally well liked by the academic and non-profit community in Syracuse, New York during the period from the 1980s. Living in the Strathmore area of the city, near a transitional area between downtown and the southern section, he resided there until the corruption charges which came without political warning to the broader community.

He unsuccessfully ran for the United States Senate in 1974. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He served as the president of the United States Conference of Mayors.

Corruption charges

On July 16, 1987, Alexander was indicted in Federal District Court in Syracuse on 40 counts of extortion, income tax evasion, racketeering and conspiracy.^[2] Mr. Alexander pleaded not guilty on all counts. In January 1988, Alexander pleaded guilty to racketeering and extortion, conspiracy to obstruct the Government's investigation and income-tax evasion on at least $1.2 million in bribes and kickbacks.^[3] As part of a plea bargain, he agreed to serve 10 years in prison and pay a $100,000 fine. Alexander spent nearly six years in jail for his crimes and was released from prison in 1994.^[4] Alexander died at his home of cancer on December 25, 1996.

References

1. Van Gelder, Lawrence (December 27, 1996). "Lee Alexander, 69, Mayor Whose Career Ended in Jail". New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
2. Boostin, Robert O. (July 18, 1987). "8 Plead Guilty in Syracuse Kickback Case". New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
3. Lynn, Frank (February 7, 1988). "Ex-Syracuse Mayor's Schemes Detailed in Memo". New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
4. Van Gelder, Lawrence (December 27, 1996). "Lee Alexander, 69, Mayor Whose Career Ended in Jail". New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.