William Musto

William V. Musto, also known as Billy Musto (March 27, 1917-February 27, 2006), was the Mayor of Union City, New Jersey from 1962 to 1970 and from 1974 to 1982. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1947 to 1966 and in the New Jersey Senate from 1966 to 1982.Rosero, Jessica. [http://www.hudsonreporter.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16236963&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523590&rfi=6 "The last boss: Former Mayor, State Senator, and Assemblyman William Musto dies at 88"] , "Union City Reporter", March 5, 2006. Accessed March 6, 2008.] [Kim, Yung. [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-119150424.html "William Musto, 88; official ousted in corruption scandal"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", March 1, 2006. Accessed March 6, 2008.] "The New York Times" called him a "charismatic and visionary force" in New Jersey politics for decades.Gettleman, Jeffrey. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/nyregion/01musto.html?_r=1&oref=slogin "William Musto, 88, a Mayor Re-elected on His Way to Jail, Is Dead"] , "The New York Times", March 1, 2006. Accessed March 6, 2008.]

Musto was born in West Hoboken (now part of Union City) New Jersey on March 27, 1917. He was a graduate of John Marshall Law School (now the Seton Hall University School of Law) in Newark He served in World War II as a Captain in General George S. Patton's army. In 1946 he was elected to the New Jersey assembly, where he started his long political career.

Musto's career ended in 1982, when he was convicted of racketeering in United States Federal Court. The trial was controversial and many New Jersey residents believe he was innocent. He was succeeded in the New Jersey Senate by Christopher Jackman. Musto died in 2006 at the age of 88 from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

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