Seymour R. Thaler

Seymour R. Thaler (August 31, 1919 – February 5, 1976) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Life

He was born Seymour Thaler on August 31, 1919, in the East Bronx, New York City, the son of Jacob Thaler and Gussie Thaler. He added the middle initial R. to his name while still going to school. He attended Public School No. 63 and DeWitt Clinton High School. He graduated from Brooklyn College; and LL.B. and J.S.D. from Brooklyn Law School.^[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1942, and practiced law in New York City.

Thaler was a member of the New York State Senate from 1959 to 1971, sitting in the 172nd, 173rd, 174th, 175th, 176th, 177th, 178th, 179th and 180th New York State Legislatures. He was a delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention. In 1969, he ran in the Democratic primary for New York City Comptroller^[2] but was defeated by Abraham Beame.

In November 1971, he was elected to the New York Supreme Court. On December 21, he and three associates were indicted for selling $800,000 worth of stolen Treasury bills in 1970.^[3] On December 23, 1971, he pleaded not guilty.^[4] In February 1972, four counts of perjury were added to the indictment.^[5] On March 23, he was convicted of unlawfully receiving and disposing of stolen securities, and of perjury.^[6] On August 8, he was sentenced to one year in prison, and fined $10,000.^[7] On November 2, he was disbarred by the Appellate Division.^[8] On March 5, 1973, the conviction was upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.^[9]

He died on February 5, 1976, in Queens, of a heart attack;^[10] and was buried at the New Montefiore Cemetery there.

Sources

1. New York Red Book (1963–1964); pg. 95)
2. WAGNER SELECTS CAREY AND THALER AS RUNNING MATES in the New York Times on April 26, 1969 (subscription required)
3. Thaler Indicted for Receipt Of Stolen Treasury Bills in the New York Times on December 22, 1971 (subscription required)
4. THALER ENTERS NOT-GUILTY PLEA in the New York Times on December 24, 1971 (subscription required)
5. PERJURY CHARGED AGAINST THALER in the New York Times on February 25, 1972 (subscription required)
6. THALER CONVICTED IN SECURITIES CASE in the New York Times on March 24, 1972 (subscription required)
7. Thaler Is Given a Year in Securities Case in the New York Times on August 9, 1972 (subscription required)
8. "IN THE MATTER OF SEYMOUR R. THALER" at Find a Case
9. THALER CONVICTION UPHELD ON APPEAL in the New York Times on March 6, 1973 (subscription required)
10. Seymour R. Thaler Dead; Former State Senator, 56 in the New York Times on February 6, 1976 (subscription required)

External links

Seymour R. Thaler at Find a Grave