Guy Velella
Guy John Velella (September 25, 1944 – January 27, 2011) was an American Republican politician serving as a New York State Senator from the Bronx.
Guy J. Velella | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New York State Senate from the 34th district | |
| In office April 22, 1986 – May 14, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | John D. Calandra |
| Succeeded by | Jeffrey D. Klein |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 80th district | |
| In office January 1, 1973 – December 31, 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Ferdinand J. Mondello |
| Succeeded by | G. Oliver Koppell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 25, 1944 East Harlem, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 27, 2011 (aged 66) Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | St. John's University (BA) Suffolk University (JD) |
A political leader, state assemblyman, and state senator for over 30 years, Velella was indicted in 2002 on 25 counts of bribery and conspiracy for allegedly accepting at least $137,000 in exchange for steering public-works contracts to the paying parties. He ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree, a class E felony, admitting that he helped clients obtain business from government agencies, and that the clients paid fees in excess of $10,000 to his father's law firm, in exchange for a year in jail. As part of the plea agreement reached with the Manhattan District Attorney, Velella resigned his seat in the State Senate and his position as Chairman of the Bronx County Republican Party. He was also disbarred. He served a total of six months (in two separate stints) of his sentence at Rikers Island.