Edward Mezvinsky
Encyclopedia
Edward "Ed" Mezvinsky is a former congressman. A Democrat
, he represented Iowa's 1st congressional district
in the United States House of Representatives
for two terms, from 1973 to 1977.
Mezvinsky grew up in Ames, Iowa and played high school football there. He received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1965. After being elected to the Iowa Legislature in 1968, he lost a race for Congress in 1970, then won in 1972. He made several unsuccessful Senate attempts in the 1980s.
In 2001, he was convicted of several dozen charges of fraud, and served five years in federal prison.
, the son of Jewish grocery store owner Abe Mezvinsky. He was an all-state football end and member of the Ames High School
state championship basketball and track teams of 1955.
Mezvinsky received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law
in 1965. He returned briefly to Iowa to practice law, but quickly began a political career. In 1965, he worked for former Rep. Neal Smith in Washington on lobbyist disclosure and ethics bills. He was elected to the Iowa Legislature in 1968, where he attracted publicity as a consumers' advocate. He lost a 1970 campaign to unseat Republican Congressman Fred Schwengel
in Iowa's 1st congressional district by only 765 votes (out of over 120,000 cast). After reapportionment improved his chances, Mezvinsky won a 1972 rematch.
During his first term in Congress, he sat on the House Judiciary Committee and voted for the impeachment
of President Richard Nixon
for his activities in the Watergate scandal
. Although Mezvinsky defeated Davenport businessman Jim Leach
in 1974 in the immediate aftermath of the impeachment hearings, Leach defeated him two years later, in 1976.
Six months into his first term in Congress, Mezvinsky separated from his wife of ten years Myra Schulman; they were divorced two weeks after his 1974 re-election. During his final term he married Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky
, a television journalist. After his 1976 defeat, they relocated to suburban Philadelphia. Together, they raised eleven children, several of whom were adopted.
After serving in Congress, Mezvinsky was United States Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from 1977 until 1979. Mezvinsky unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for United States Senate
from Pennsylvania in 1980, losing to Peter F. Flaherty
. He then became chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee before making a failed run for state attorney general
in 1988. He won the Democratic primary, but lost to Republican Ernie Preate
in the general election. He also unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor
in 1990, losing to incumbent Mark Singel
.
From 1993 to 1995, Edward Mezvinsky's wife Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky
served one term in Congress, and was the party's nominee for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania in 1998. In 2000, she was running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate when his business problems forced them to file for bankruptcy and caused her abrupt withdrawal. They were divorced several years later.
Edward Mezvinsky's son, Marc, married Chelsea Clinton
, daughter of former U.S President Bill Clinton
and current U.S. Secretary of State and former U.S Senator from New York
Hillary Rodham Clinton
in 2010.
In March 2001, Mezvinsky was indicted and later pleaded guilty to 31 of 69 charges of bank fraud
, mail fraud, and wire fraud
. Nearly $10 million was involved in the crimes. Shortly after his indictment, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder
, but the judge at his trial disallowed a mental illness
defense
. He served his time at Federal Prison Camp, Eglin
. Mezvinsky, Federal Bureau of Prisons
# 55040-066, he was released in April 2008. He is expected to remain on federal probation
until 2011, and owes substantial restitution to his victims.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he represented Iowa's 1st congressional district
Iowa's 1st congressional district
Iowa's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Iowa that covers the northeastern part of the state. The district includes Dubuque, Clinton, Davenport and Waterloo....
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for two terms, from 1973 to 1977.
Mezvinsky grew up in Ames, Iowa and played high school football there. He received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1965. After being elected to the Iowa Legislature in 1968, he lost a race for Congress in 1970, then won in 1972. He made several unsuccessful Senate attempts in the 1980s.
In 2001, he was convicted of several dozen charges of fraud, and served five years in federal prison.
Life and career
Mezvinsky grew up in Ames, IowaAmes, Iowa
Ames is a city located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa in Story County, and approximately north of Des Moines. The U.S. Census Bureau designates that Ames, Iowa metropolitan statistical area as encompassing all of Story County, and which, when combined with the Boone, Iowa...
, the son of Jewish grocery store owner Abe Mezvinsky. He was an all-state football end and member of the Ames High School
Ames High School
Ames High School is the sole high school in Ames, Story County, Iowa.-Academics:January 2008 —Ames High School has been named one of the top high schools in the country by U.S. News and World Report. In its recently released rankings, the magazine awarded Ames High School a silver medal, one of...
state championship basketball and track teams of 1955.
Mezvinsky received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law
University of California, Hastings College of the Law
University of California, Hastings College of the Law is a public law school in San Francisco, California, located in the Civic Center neighborhood....
in 1965. He returned briefly to Iowa to practice law, but quickly began a political career. In 1965, he worked for former Rep. Neal Smith in Washington on lobbyist disclosure and ethics bills. He was elected to the Iowa Legislature in 1968, where he attracted publicity as a consumers' advocate. He lost a 1970 campaign to unseat Republican Congressman Fred Schwengel
Fred Schwengel
Frederick Delbert Schwengel was a Republican U.S. Representative from southeastern Iowa.-Personal background:Born on a farm near Sheffield, Iowa, Schwengel attended the rural schools in West Fork Township and high schools in Chapin and Sheffield, Iowa...
in Iowa's 1st congressional district by only 765 votes (out of over 120,000 cast). After reapportionment improved his chances, Mezvinsky won a 1972 rematch.
During his first term in Congress, he sat on the House Judiciary Committee and voted for the impeachment
Impeachment
Impeachment is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as other punishment....
of President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
for his activities in the Watergate scandal
Watergate scandal
The Watergate scandal was a political scandal during the 1970s in the United States resulting from the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement...
. Although Mezvinsky defeated Davenport businessman Jim Leach
Jim Leach
James Albert Smith "Jim" Leach is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa. In August 2009, he became Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities ....
in 1974 in the immediate aftermath of the impeachment hearings, Leach defeated him two years later, in 1976.
Six months into his first term in Congress, Mezvinsky separated from his wife of ten years Myra Schulman; they were divorced two weeks after his 1974 re-election. During his final term he married Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky
Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky
Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and a women's right activist. She is a former journalist and a former politician for the Democratic Party. From 1993 to 1995 she was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing...
, a television journalist. After his 1976 defeat, they relocated to suburban Philadelphia. Together, they raised eleven children, several of whom were adopted.
After serving in Congress, Mezvinsky was United States Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from 1977 until 1979. Mezvinsky unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Pennsylvania in 1980, losing to Peter F. Flaherty
Peter F. Flaherty
Peter Francis "Pete" Flaherty was an American politician from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.He served as Assistant District Attorney of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania from 1957 to 1964; a City of Pittsburgh Councilman 1966 to 1970; Democratic mayor of Pittsburgh from 1970 to 1977; United States Deputy...
. He then became chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee before making a failed run for state attorney general
Pennsylvania Attorney General
The Pennsylvania Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It became an elected office in 1980. Currently, the office is held by Linda Kelly.- Authority and Responsibilities :...
in 1988. He won the Democratic primary, but lost to Republican Ernie Preate
Ernie Preate
Ernest D. Preate, Jr. is a former Pennsylvania Attorney General. His term ended prematurely when he was indicted on federal charges for mail fraud for which he served a sixteen-month prison sentence in Duluth, Minnesota.-References:...
in the general election. He also unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
The Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor. Jim Cawley of Bucks County is the incumbent Lieutenant Governor...
in 1990, losing to incumbent Mark Singel
Mark Singel
Mark Stephen Singel served as the Democratic lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania from 1987 to 1995 under Bob Casey He was acting governor from June 14, 1993, to December 13, 1993, during Casey's lengthy battle with amyloidosis and subsequent multiple organ transplant.A graduate of Pennsylvania...
.
From 1993 to 1995, Edward Mezvinsky's wife Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky
Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky
Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and a women's right activist. She is a former journalist and a former politician for the Democratic Party. From 1993 to 1995 she was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing...
served one term in Congress, and was the party's nominee for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania in 1998. In 2000, she was running for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate when his business problems forced them to file for bankruptcy and caused her abrupt withdrawal. They were divorced several years later.
Edward Mezvinsky's son, Marc, married Chelsea Clinton
Chelsea Clinton
Chelsea Victoria Clinton is a television journalist, currently serving as Special Correspondent for NBC News, and philanthropist, working through the Clinton Global Initiative. She is the only child of former U.S...
, daughter of former U.S President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
and current U.S. Secretary of State and former U.S Senator from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
in 2010.
Criminal activities
Mezvinsky was involved in a series of business transactions that ultimately led to his downfall.In March 2001, Mezvinsky was indicted and later pleaded guilty to 31 of 69 charges of bank fraud
Bank fraud
Bank fraud is the use of fraudulent means to obtain money, assets, or other property owned or held by a financial institution, or to obtain money from depositors by fraudulently representing to be a bank or financial institution. In many instances, bank fraud is a criminal offense...
, mail fraud, and wire fraud
Wire fraud
Mail and wire fraud is a federal crime in the United States. Together, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343, and 1346 reach any fraudulent scheme or artifice to intentionally deprive another of property or honest services with a nexus to mail or wire communication....
. Nearly $10 million was involved in the crimes. Shortly after his indictment, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
, but the judge at his trial disallowed a mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
defense
Diminished responsibility
In criminal law, diminished responsibility is a potential defense by excuse by which defendants argue that although they broke the law, they should not be held fully criminally liable for doing so, as their mental functions were "diminished" or impaired. The defense's acceptance in American...
. He served his time at Federal Prison Camp, Eglin
Federal Prison Camp, Eglin
Federal Prison Camp, Eglin was a Federal Bureau of Prisons minimum security prison on the grounds of Eglin Air Force Base.By 2006 the federal government decided to cut costs by closing Eglin and returning the buildings to the air force. The prisoners were moved to Federal Prison Camp,...
. Mezvinsky, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Bureau of Prisons
The Federal Bureau of Prisons is a federal law enforcement agency subdivision of the United States Department of Justice and is responsible for the administration of the federal prison system. The system also handles prisoners who committed acts considered felonies under the District of Columbia's...
# 55040-066, he was released in April 2008. He is expected to remain on federal probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
until 2011, and owes substantial restitution to his victims.