Arnold D'Ambrosa

Arnold J. D'Ambrosa (December 1, 1932 – February 9, 2018) was an American official who served in the General Assembly from 1974 to 1976 from the 22nd Legislative District. His political career was cut short by scandal.

Arnold D'Ambrosa
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 22nd district
In office January 8, 1974 – January 13, 1976 Serving with Betty Wilson
Preceded by	District created
Succeeded by	Donald DiFrancesco William J. Maguire
Personal details
Born	(1933-12-01)December 1, 1933
Died	February 9, 2018(2018-02-09) (aged 85) Brick Township, New Jersey
Political party	Republican
Other political affiliations	Democratic (through 1970s)

Biography

The Rahway Democratic Municipal Chairman and the city's Director of Public Works,^[1] D'Ambrosa was elected Assemblyman in 1973, the beneficiary of the Watergate scandal that helped Democrats score massive gains in the legislative elections. D'Ambrosa and his running mate, Betty Wilson, defeated two Republican incumbents, Herbert H. Kiehn and Arthur Manner.

He took office as an Assemblyman in January 1974. In July, he was arrested. Prosecutors charged him with selling an air conditioner owned by the City of Rahway for $600 and keeping the money. He was also accused of taking a $200 bribe from a contractor, as well as lying to a Grand Jury and misusing city assets (materials and employees) for work on his vacation home in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.^[2] He remained in office, but was not a candidate for re-election to a second term in 1975.

In January 1976, just before the expiration of his term, he was sentenced to nine months in jail after admitting to charges of embezzlement, bribery, perjury and official misconduct. Rahway also fired him from his Public Works job.^[3] After prison, D'Ambrosa relocated to Point Pleasant, where he owns a nautical supply business.^[4] He later became a Republican and contributed to Republican candidates.^[3]

D'Ambrosa died on February 9, 2018, in Brick Township.^[5]

References

1. Fitzgerald's New Jersey Legislative Manual. 1974.
2. "Legislator Held on Fraud Charge; D'Ambrosa Accused in Sale of Public Property Denies Charge". New York Times. 3 July 1974.
3. Edge, Wally (7 May 2009). "The Story Of The Assemblyman Who Got Caught Stealing An Air Conditioner". PolitickerNJ.com. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
4. "Marinas – Arnold's Yacht Basin". JerseyMarinas.com. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
5. "Arnold D'Ambrosa Obituary". The Star-Ledger. February 16, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2024.