James Dworak

James J. Dworak (January 4, 1925 - November 6, 2002) was mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, from 1961 to 1965.

Private and business life

Mr. Dworak was born in Omaha and graduated from

Veterans Administration Medical Center in 2002 at age 77 of complications from Parkinson's disease

After sitting on the

During Dworak's re-election campaign in 1965 he was taped asking for a $25,000 campaign contribution in exchange for not vetoing a rezoning application of Chicago developer John B. Coleman. Dworak lost his bid for re-election while under indictment. The following spring he was acquitted by the jury, his main defense being that he was stringing Coleman along.[2] Judge John E Murphy presided over the cases of the other men indicted under similar accusations. Murphy initially dismissed the case against Planning Board member Carville R. "Barney" Buttner, while the others were tried together and found guilty.^[3] and appealed.^[4] The Nebraska Supreme Court overturned Murphy's dismissal of the case against Buttner, who then pleaded no contest to a charge of malfeasance in public office, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced to a fine of $200.^[5]

^ Rosenberg, Gary R. "Omaha Mayors", Douglas County Historical Society, 2008-2010 http://www.omahahistory.org/Education_Mayors_Dworak.htm Archived 2013-04-08 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Dworak is Found Not Guilty of Soliciting $25,000 Bribe", Omaha World Herald, 02-03-1966; Page 1
^ "Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Says Jury as 3 in Coleman Case Get Verdict in Tense Court", Omaha World Herald, 11-17-1965; Page 1
^ "3 Planning to Appeal Sentences", Omaha World Herald, 02-24-1966; Page: 1
^ "Zoning Story is Clarified", Omaha World Herald, 10-28-1970; Page: 4

Preceded by John R. Rosenblatt	Mayor of Omaha 1961–1965	Succeeded by Alexander V. Sorensen