John M. Murphy (New York politician)

For other people named John Murphy, see John Murphy (disambiguation).

John Michael Murphy (August 3, 1926 – May 25, 2015) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 16th (1963–1973) and 17th (1973–1981) districts.^[1] He was convicted of taking bribes in the 1980 Abscam scandal.

John Murphy
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York
In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	John H. Ray (redistricting)
Succeeded by	Guy Molinari
Constituency	16th district (1963–1973) 17th district (1973–1981)
Personal details
Born	John Michael Murphy (1926-08-03)August 3, 1926 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	May 25, 2015(2015-05-25) (aged 88) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Kathleen Murphy
Children	2
Education	Amherst College United States Military Academy (BS)

Life and career

Murphy was born in Staten Island, New York City, New York, the son of Florence and Frank Murphy.^[2] He attended La Salle Military Academy, Amherst College, and the United States Military Academy at West Point.^[1]

Military service

He served in the U.S. Army from August 1944 to July 1956, first as an enlisted man before receiving his commission after four years at West Point. During his military service he received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Bronze Star, and was discharged as a captain.^[1]

Congress

He was elected as a Democrat to the 88th U.S. Congress and to the eight succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1981).^[1] After being indicted in the Abscam bribery scandal, he ran unsuccessfully for re-election in 1980.^[3] Murphy was acquitted of bribery, but found guilty on lesser charges, and served 18 months in prison.^[4][5]

During his time in Congress he chaired committees dealing with maritime and oceanic matters.^[6] He was a life long friend of Anastasio Somoza since their days as students at West Point;^[6] while in office, Murphy opposed the Carter administrations efforts to remove Somoza.^[7]

Family

His son, Mark Murphy, is a real-estate developer who worked as an aide to Bill de Blasio during his tenure as New York City Public Advocate.^[8] On January 19, 2012, Mark Murphy announced he would seek election to the Congressional seat his father once held.^[9] On November 6, Murphy lost the election to incumbent Republican Michael Grimm, 46.2% – 52.8%.^[10]

Death

Murphy died the age of 88 on May 25, 2015, at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, NY of complications from a heart attack.^[6]

See also

• List of American federal politicians convicted of crimes
• List of federal political scandals in the United States

References

1. United States Congress. "John M. Murphy (id: M001098)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
2. Congress, United States (1972). "Official Congressional Directory".
3. Hicks, Jonathan P. (November 5, 1997). "Republican Wins U.S. House Seat Left by Molinari". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-12-21. The stakes were perhaps higher for the Republicans, who had represented the district since 1981, after Guy V. Molinari defeated John M. Murphy, a nine-term incumbent whose campaign was hobbled by his indictment in the Abscam bribery scandal.
4. Fried, Joseph P. (26 May 2015). "John Murphy, Congressman Convicted in Abscam Sting, Dies at 88". The New York Times.
5. "Former Staten Island Congressman Jack Murphy dead at 88". 27 May 2015.
6. Fried, Joseph P. (May 26, 2015). "John Murphy, Staten Island Congressman Convicted in Abscam Sting, Dies at 88". New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
7. Robert Grady (March 12, 1979). "Nicaragua: La Lucha Continua". Harvard Crimson. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
8. "Democratic scion Mark Murphy forswears designs on North Shore Council seat". 16 July 2011.
9. "Democrat Mark Murphy declares for Staten Island congressional seat". 19 January 2012.
10. "New York – Election 2012 – NYTimes.com". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2013.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Adam Clayton Powell Jr.	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 16th congressional district 1963–1973	Succeeded by Elizabeth Holtzman
Preceded by Ed Koch	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 17th congressional district 1973–1981	Succeeded by Guy Molinari
Preceded by Leonor Sullivan	Member of the House Merchant Marine Committee 1977–1980	Succeeded by Thomas L. Ashley