Blumenthal's New York State Assembly portrait.

Albert Howard Blumenthal (October 13, 1928 – July 8, 1984) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Life

Blumenthal was born on October 13, 1928, in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York City, the son of Bennet M. Blumenthal (1888–1980)[1] and Matilda Blumenthal. He graduated B.A. from the College of William & Mary in 1949, and LL.B. from New York University School of Law in 1951.[2] He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. He was admitted to the bar in 1953, practiced law in New York City, and entered politics as a Democrat. On May 18, 1958, he married Joel Marie Winik, and they had four children.

Blumenthal was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1963 to 1976, sitting in the 174th, 175th,176th, 177th, 178th, 179th, 180th and 181st New York State Legislatures. He was Chairman of the Committee on Health from 1966 to 1968.

In 1973, he ran in the Democratic primary for Mayor of New York City but came in fourth with 16% of the vote, behind Abraham Beame (34%), Herman Badillo (29%), and Mario Biaggi (21%).[3]

At the general election in November, Blumenthal ran on the Liberal ticket but was again defeated by Beame. Blumenthal was Majority Leader of the State Assembly in 1975 and 1976.

In December 1975, Blumenthal was indicted for perjury in connection with his support of nursing-home operator Bernard Bergman.[4] In February 1976, Blumenthal moved to dismiss the charges.[5] At first, bribery was also added to the indictment, but on April 13, 1976, all charges were dismissed.[6] On June 9, 1976, he announced that he would not run again for the Assembly.[7] On December 14, 1976, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division unanimously upheld the dismissal of all charges against Blumenthal.[8]

Afterwards he moved to Larchmont, in Westchester County. Later he was a member of the New York State Commission on Law Revision.

He died on July 8, 1984, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, at age 55.[9]

References

  1. ^ Bennet M. Blumenthal Dies at 91 in The New York Times on July 12, 1980 (subscription required)
  2. ^ New York Red Book (1965–1966; pg. 145)
  3. ^ "Primary Biaggi Still Holds The Key". The New York Times. June 24, 1973.
  4. ^ Blumenthal Calls Charge "Outrageous, Unfounded" in The New York Times on December 6, 1975 (subscription required)
  5. ^ Blumenthal Asks Court To Drop Perjury Case in The New York Times on February 13, 1976 (subscription required)
  6. ^ COURT DISMISSES BLUMENTHAL CASE BROUGHT BY HYNES in The New York Times on April 14, 1976 (subscription required)
  7. ^ Blumenthal, Majority Leader, to Retire From Assembly in Fall in The New York Times on June 10, 1976 (subscription required)
  8. ^ Albert Blumenthal Wins a Victory: Dismissal of Indictment Is Upheld in The New York Times on December 15, 1976 (subscription required)
  9. ^ ALBERT H. BLUMENTHAL DIES AT 55; EX-MAJORITY LEADER OF ASSEMBLY by Walter H. Waggoner, in The New York Times on July 10, 1984
New York State Assembly Preceded byBentley Kassal New York State Assembly New York County, 5th District 1963–1965 Succeeded bydistrict abolished Preceded bynew district New York State Assembly 73rd District 1966 Succeeded byJohn J. Walsh Preceded byJerome W. Marks New York State Assembly 67th District 1967–1972 Succeeded byRichard N. Gottfried Preceded byFranz S. Leichter New York State Assembly 69th District 1973–1976 Succeeded byJerrold Nadler Political offices Preceded byJohn E. Kingston Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly 1975–1976 Succeeded byStanley Fink
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