John J. Santucci

Summary

John Joseph Santucci (April 2, 1931 – June 26, 2016) was an American lawyer and politician.

John J. Santucci
District Attorney of Queens County
In office
January 1, 1978 – June 1, 1991
Acting: January 1, 1977 – December 31, 1977
Preceded byNicholas Ferraro
Succeeded byRichard A. Brown
Member of the New York Senate
In office
January 1, 1968 – December 31, 1976
Preceded byIrving Mosberg
Succeeded bySheldon Farber
Constituency11th district (1968–1972)
10th district (1972–1976)
Member of the New York City Council
from the 6th district
In office
1964–1965
Preceded byEric J. Treulich
Succeeded byDavid B. Friedland
Personal details
Born(1931-04-02)April 2, 1931
Queens, New York City, U.S.
DiedJune 26, 2016(2016-06-26) (aged 85)
Mineola, New York. U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materSt. John's University

Life edit

The son of Italian immigrant parents, Santucci was born on April 2, 1931, in Ozone Park, Queens, New York City.[1] He attended Public Schools No. 123 and 155, and John Adams High School. He graduated from St. John's University, and in 1953 from St. John's University School of Law. He practiced law in New York City, and entered politics as a Democrat.[2]

On April 14, 1964, Santucci was co-opted to the New York City Council (6th D.), to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Eric J. Treulich to the New York City Civil Court.[3]

On February 20, 1968, Santucci was elected to the New York State Senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Irving Mosberg to the New York City Civil Court.[4] He remained in the Senate until 1976, sitting in the 177th, 178th, 179th, 180th, and 181st New York State Legislatures. He was re-elected in November 1976, but resigned his seat before the next Legislature met.

On December 30, 1976, Santucci was appointed as District Attorney of Queens County, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Nicholas Ferraro to the New York Supreme Court.[5] In November 1977, Santucci was elected to succeed himself, defeating anti-corruption crusader Maurice H. Nadjari.[6] In 1980, Santucci ran in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by Jacob K. Javits but was defeated by U.S. Representative Elizabeth Holtzman. Santucci was re-elected as D.A. in 1981, 1985, and 1989. He tendered his resignation on May 1, 1991, to take effect on June 1.[7] He died aged 85 at Winthrop-University Hospital on June 26, 2016, after going into cardiac arrest at his home in Garden City, New York.[8][1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b John Santucci dies; former Queens DA was 85 Jo Napolitano, Newsday (June 27, 2016) Archived April 16, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ The New York Red Book. Vol. 79. 1970–1971. p. 105.
  3. ^ "Santucci Elected to Council Seat". New York Times. April 15, 1964. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  4. ^ Ronan, Thomas P. (February 22, 1968). "Podell's Victory Hailed by Bailey". New York Times. p. 25. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  5. ^ "Carey Appoints Santucci as Queens District Attorney". New York Times. December 31, 1976. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  6. ^ Schumach, Murray (November 9, 1977). "Santucci Easily Defeats Nadjari For District Attorney of Queens". New York Times. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  7. ^ Fried, Joseph P. (May 2, 1991). "Santucci Is Retiring as the Queens District Attorney". New York Times. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  8. ^ Fried, Joseph P. (June 27, 2016). "John Santucci, Prosecutor in High Profile cases in New York, Dies". New York Times. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2017.

External links edit

  • Welcome to The People vs. David Berkowitz, repository of investigatory files and documents relating to the David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) criminal case. Section of website dedicated to the work of DA Santucci.
New York State Senate
Preceded by Member of the New York State Senate
from the 11th district

1968–1972
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the New York State Senate
from the 10th district

1973–1976
Succeeded by
Sheldon Farber
Legal offices
Preceded by District Attorney of Queens County
1977–1991
Succeeded by