Joseph P. Lordi
Joseph P. Lordi (June 28, 1919 – October 21, 1983) was an American law enforcement official who served as the Essex County, New Jersey prosecutor and as the first Chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
Joseph P. Lordi | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 28, 1919 |
| Died | October 21, 1983 (aged 64) |
| Nationality | American |
| Organization | New Jersey Casino Control Commission |
| Title | Chairman |
| Term | 1977–1981 |
| Successor | Walter Newton Read |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Mary |
| Children | Linda Lordi Cavanaugh |
| Website | http://www.nj.gov/casinos/about/history/lordi.html |
Lordi was a counterespionage agent for the Office of Strategic Services in Europe during World War II. He later graduated from Rutgers School of Law–Newark.
Legal career
Lordi served as Deputy Attorney General of New Jersey under Gov. Robert Meyner and was an Assistant Essex County Prosecutor from 1959 to 1964. Gov. Richard J. Hughes named him as Director of the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and in 1968 as the Essex County Prosecutor, replacing Brendan Byrne. He spent nine years in that post, where he grew in prominence for his prosecution of organized crime figures and corrupt public officials.[1] Byrne named him as the Casino Control Commission Chairman in 1977. He served until 1981.[2]
Family
Lordi's brother, James Lordi, served in the New Jersey General Assembly. His daughter, Linda Lordi Cavanaugh, served as an Essex County Freeholder.
References
- Flint, Peter B. (22 October 1983). "Joseph P. Lordi, Former Chief of Jersey Casino Commission". New York Times. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- "Former Commissioners". State of New Jersey, Casino Control Commission. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by None |
Chair of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission 1977–1981 |
Succeeded by Walter Newton Read |