Denis E. Dillon
Denis E. Dillon | |
---|---|
District Attorney of Nassau County | |
In office January 1, 1975 – December 31, 2005 | |
Preceded by | William Cahn |
Succeeded by | Kathleen Rice |
Personal details | |
Born | The Bronx, New York City | December 21, 1933
Died | October 15, 2010 Rockville Centre, New York | (aged 76)
Political party | Republican (1988–2010) Democratic (1955–1988)[1] |
Alma mater | Fordham University |
Denis E. Dillon (December 21, 1933 – August 15, 2010), was an American prosecutor and politician who served as District Attorney of Nassau County, New York, from 1975 to 2005. Dillon was well known for his opposition to abortion rights, and the issue prompted his defection to the Republican Party in 1989, having previously been one of the very few Democratic politicians to have success in Nassau County. Prior to his defection, Dillon challenged incumbent Democrat Mario Cuomo from the right in the 1986 New York gubernatorial election, finishing in third place with 3% of the vote as the nominee of the New York State Right to Life Party.
First elected to a three-year term as District Attorney in 1974, Dillon was re-elected to 7 four-year terms, losing in his attempt to win a ninth term in 2005 to Democratic nominee
Early life, education and career
Dillon was born in 1933 into a devout
Dillon graduated from
District Attorney
1974 election
Dillon was originally elected in 1974 as a
The campaign between Dillon and Cahn was brutal from the onset, and took place amidst the backdrop of the January 10, 1974, revelation that Cahn was under investigation by the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, where Dillon served as Organized Crime Task Force chief, for alleged grand jury tampering in relation to the revocation of indictments against three Republican Oyster Bay municipal officials involved with parking meter kickbacks. The investigation was opened in August 1973, when Dillon was approached with the allegations by Norman E. Blankman, an independent candidate for County Executive on the Integrity line, but the matter was quickly reassigned to another assistant by US Attorney Robert A. Morse because it lacked a nexus to organized crime.[5]
The investigation proceeded privately, but was upended on December 4 when Morse committed suicide by jumping from his fifth story apartment. Morse's death left the US Attorney's office vacant, pending the recommendation of a new appointee to President
When word of Margiotta's recommendation that Margolin fill the vacancy reached assistants in the US Attorney's office, they contacted Department of Justice officials in Washington to express their concern that he could interfere with the investigation of Cahn. Margolin was soon dropped from consideration upon the disclosure that he had been subpoenaed to appear before the federal grand jury investigating Cahn, with the appointment instead going in late March to David G. Trager, a professor at Brooklyn Law School.[6][7]
Dillon first suggested that he was considering a campaign on May 14, the same day Trager was confirmed by the Senate to serve as US Attorney,[7] and announced his candidacy on May 16, resigning from the US Attorney's office to do so. Dillon's candidacy was responded to favorably by party leadership, with Stanley Harwood, the Assemblyman and county chair, saying that Dillon's chances were "very good" and that his "extensive experience" in criminal prosecution would "bring a dimension into the campaign we haven't had before".[8] Dillon's candidacy was endorsed by the county Democratic committee on the first ballot in a June meeting, despite concerns from some that his status as a recent transplant to Rockville Centre from New York City made him a carpetbagger.[9]
During the campaign, Dillon attacked Cahn for a poor record of cooperation with federal authorities in his capacity as District Attorney, saying that "not once" during Dillon's time as the Eastern District's organized crime chief had Cahn's office shared information with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and that it had "seriously weakened federal law enforcement efforts" in the county.[10] Dillon also attacked Cahn for having a lackluster conviction rate, saying that from 1970 to 1973, Nassau County had the highest rate of acquittals and cases dismissed prior to trial compared to Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties, while having the lowest conviction rate, something Dillon compared to "leading the league in errors, strikeouts, and men left on base". Cahn responded by accusing Dillon's campaign of cherry picking counties with a low case load for comparison, pointing out that many of the pre-trial dismissals were due to a diversion program not available in the other counties, and criticizing Dillon for being interested in "box score justice".[11]
Dillon further attacked Cahn for politicizing the office by submitting his proposed appointees for Assistant District Attorney positions for approval from the county's Republican Party, which resulted in 99 of the office's 100 attorneys being registered Republicans.[12]
Despite Cahn's weaknesses and having run a strong campaign, Dillon was outspent by a $300,000 to $30,000 margin and was not expected to win on election day. Dillon's victory was assisted by the unexpectedly strong coattails of successful Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hugh Carey, who won an upset victory in the county against the prediction of county Republican polling, and the general bad climate for Republicans in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.[13][14]
1977 election
Dillon was unanimously re-nominated for District Attorney by the Nassau County Democratic Committee,[15] later receiving the Liberal and Conservative Party endorsements as well.[16] Dillon was also under consideration for the Republican line, but was urged to decline a cross endorsement by Democratic leaders who feared it would help Republican candidates downballot.[16]
Republicans nominated Hempstead Town Councilman Gregory P. Peterson, the only individual actively campaigning, to face Dillon in the general election. Dillon was favored throughout the race, but Peterson went on the offensive, criticizing Dillon for his personal opposition to capital punishment, and what he felt was soft enforcement on marijuana and organized crime. Dillon countered by declaring that he would put aside his personal view and enforce any new capital punishment statute should the legislature implement it, and cited his work at the Department of Justice against the Colombo crime family in response to Peterson's claims on organized crime prosecutions.[17]
Dillon was ultimately re-elected with 62% of the vote on the Democratic, Conservative, and Liberal Party lines over Peterson, who had only the Republican line[18] Dillon's re-election was one of the few bright spots for Nassau County Democrats, who saw Republicans retain both the County Executive and Comptroller's seats, as well as an overwhelming majority on the county's Board of Supervisors.[19]
1981 election
The 1980 indictment of
In November, Dillon was elected unopposed to a third term, having received the Democratic, Republican, Liberal, and Conservative nominations, as well as that of the
1985 election
In advance of the 1985 cycle it was speculated that Dillon would again face a Republican challenger, with new county chair Joseph Mondello having approached several state legislators about a candidacy, knowing they would not have to risk their seats in an odd-numbered year, but these attempts were ultimately unsuccessful and Dillon was cross-endorsed for the second time.[23]
Dillon also obtained the re-nomination of four additional parties (Democratic, Liberal, Conservative, Right to Life) and was officially unopposed for re-election, but opposition arose just days after the primary when, on September 14, Dillon led a march of 1,000 individuals, primarily drawn from regional Catholic churches and schools, at the Bill Baird Center, a
Despite facing no opposition for re-nomination to the Democratic ticket, Dillon's relationship with the party appeared increasingly strained through the election. In the immediate aftermath of Dillon's march on the Baird Center, the Nassau County Democratic Committee adopted a resolution in support of the right to choose which said that this right should be "secured to the fullest by all law enforcement agencies." Dillon responded to this rebuke by saying that the Democratic position "smacks of religious fanaticism when describing a woman's right to kill the unborn baby within her as God-given."[25] Once considered a possible Democratic candidate for statewide office, Dillon near the end of the campaign told Newsday about a lunch he had had a few years earlier with Stanley Harwood, then the Nassau County Democratic chairman, at which Harwood laughed at the idea of Dillon seeking the party's nomination for a seat in the United States Senate.[27]
1986 gubernatorial campaign
In May 1986, Dillon was nominated for
Dillon accepted the nomination the third time it was offered to him by the party's leadership, and only after it had been declined by Republican nominee
During the campaign, Dillon described himself as a "progressive Democrat" except for his staunch opposition to abortion and
Dillon's campaign further deteriorated his relationship with Democratic leadership, which had objected to him running, with Nassau County Democratic Chair Martin Mellman saying in June that Dillon had effectively abandoned the party.[30] In September, Dillon openly acknowledged his vulnerability in future Democratic primaries and mused that he could eventually defect to the Republican party.[31]
Dillon ultimately received 130,802 votes (3.05%), which returned the Right to Life Party to fourth place on the New York ballot and maintained its official party status for four years.[32]
Death
On August 15, 2010, Dillon, a devoted Catholic,
References
- ^ a b Long, Irving (June 21, 1988). "Nassau's DA Quits Democrats; Cites his abortion stand in joining Republicans". Newsday.
- ^ "Dillon Enters Race to Be Prosecutor of Nassau County". The New York Times. 17 May 1974. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ a b Wheaton, Sarah (August 16, 2010). "Denis E. Dillon, Prosecutor on Long Island, Dies at 76". The New York Times.
- ^ Vecsey, George (18 September 1974). "2 Racket Busters Square Off for District Attorney in Nassau". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ Breasted, Mary (12 January 1974). "U.S. Investigation in Nassau is Termed a 'Witch-Hunt'". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ a b Breasted, Mary (11 January 1974). "Nassau Prosecutor Investigated by U.S." The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ a b Breasted, Mary (15 May 1974). "Denis Dillon Weighs Race For Prosecutor in Nassau". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ "Dillon Enters Race to be Prosecutor of Nassau County". The New York Times. 17 May 1974. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ Silver, Roy (9 June 1974). "Nassau Democrats See Opportunity For Victory". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ "Rival Accuses Cahn of Shunning FBI". The New York Times. 8 August 1974. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ Silver, Roy (3 October 1974). "Foe Assails Cahn on Acquittal Rate". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ Vescey, George (12 May 1974). "Flamboyant Nassau District Attorney Enjoys Limelight". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ Silver, Roy (24 November 1974). "Margiotta Says GOP Power Remains". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ Silver, Roy (6 November 1974). "Cahn is Beaten by Dillon in a Major Nassau Upset". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ Goldman, Ari (March 7, 1977). "Democrats Designate Landes for Nassau Executive". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Lynn, Frank (November 6, 1977). "Politics". The New York Times.
- ^ Silver, Roy (October 30, 1977). "Executions an Issue In Nassau D.A. Race". The New York Times.
- ^ "Vote in Nassau". The New York Times. 10 November 1977. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ Silver, Roy (10 November 1977). "Nassau GOP Shows New Strength". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ Kornacki, Steve. "The fall of the Nassau Republican machine and the rise of Homeland Security chair Peter King". Politico. Politico. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ Lambert, Bruce (October 7, 1986). "NASSAU COUNTY COMPTROLLER IN A TOUGH STATE RACE". The New York Times.
- ^ McQuiston, John (5 November 1981). "G.O.P. KEEPS SUFFOLK LEGISLATURE AND WINS A BIG VICTORY IN NASSAU". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ Lynn, Frank (February 10, 1985). "Politics; DEMOCRATS LOSING IN JUDGESHIP MOVE". The New York Times.
- ^ Lynn, Frank (3 November 1985). "KEY POSTS ON THE LINE IN ELECTION". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
- ^ a b McQUISTON, John (October 26, 1985). "NASSAU PROSECUTOR FACES WRITE-IN CANDIDATE". The New York Times.
- ^ Colwell, Carolyn (November 19, 1985). "Write-Ins Under 1% of Vote for DA". Newsday.
- ^ Colwell, Carolyn (October 27, 1985). "ELECTION '85; Controversial DA Goes for No. 4". Newsday.
- ^ Kerr, Peter (June 1, 1986). "DYSON ANNOUNCES BID FOR U.S. SENATE". The New York Times.
- ^ Lynn, Frank (September 21, 1986). "SEEKING KEY ROLE FOR PARTY, RIGHT TO LIFE CANDIDATE TRIES TO MAKE ABORTION AN ISSUE". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Lynn, Frank (June 8, 1986). "STATE TICKETS EYE L.I. VOTERS". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c Lynn, Frank (September 28, 1986). "POLITICS; RIGHT TO LIFE SLATE: ALL L.I.". The New York Times.
- ^ Lynn, Frank (December 21, 1986). "CUOMO'S RECORD VICTORY OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED". The New York Times.
- ^ "Longtime Nassau District Attorney Dillon Dies at 76". The Wall Street Journal.