J. Weston Allen
John Weston Allen[4] (born April 19, 1872 in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts,[4] died January 1, 1942 in Waverly, New York[5]) was an American politician who served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1915–1918[3] and as Massachusetts Attorney General from 1920–1923.
J. Weston Allen | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Massachusetts Attorney General | |
In office 1920–1923 | |
Governor | Calvin Coolidge Channing H. Cox |
Preceded by | Henry A. Wyman |
Succeeded by | Jay R. Benton |
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives[1] 4th Middlesex District[2] | |
In office 1915[1] – 1918[1] | |
Personal details | |
Born | [3] Newton Highlands, Massachusetts[3] | April 19, 1872
Died | January 1, 1942 69)[4] Waverly, New York[4] | (aged
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Caroline Cheney Hills (1901–1942)[4] |
Residence | Newton, Massachusetts[3] |
Alma mater | Yale University Harvard Law School[3] |
Profession | Attorney |
As Attorney General, Allen was aggressive in his pursuit of white collar criminals.[6] During his tenure, Allen prosecuted Thomas W. Lawson, L. C. Van Riper,[6] and Charles Ponzi.[4]
Instead of seeking reelection, Allen ran for Governor of Massachusetts in 1922 but lost the Republican primary election to incumbent Channing H. Cox. Allen served as a member of the United States Attorney General's National Crime Commission from 1926–1936 and was the commission's chairman from 1930–1936.
References
- Howard, Richard T. (1921), Public Officials of Massachusetts 1921–1922, Boston, MA: The Boston Review, p. Page 28.
- Who's Who in State Politics, 1918, Boston, MA: Practical Politics, 1918, p. 102.
- Richard T. Howard. Public Officials of Massachusetts 1921–22. The Boston Review.
- "John Weston Allen (1872–1942)". Retrieved February 13, 2010.
- "J. Weston Allen, 69, Ex-Attorney General In Bay State, Dies". The Hartford Courant. January 2, 1942.
- "LAWSON AND OTHER BOSTON BROKERS FINED; Pleading Guilty to Breach of Statute on Mining Stocks, He and Van Riper Pay $1,000". New York Times. April 22, 1920. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Henry A. Wyman |
Massachusetts Attorney General 1920–1923 |
Succeeded by Jay R. Benton |