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 | |
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![]() Allen c. 1900 | |
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 from the 4th Middlesex district | |
In office 1915–1918 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Newton Highlands, Massachusetts | April 19, 1872
Died | January 1, 1942 69) Waverly, New York | (aged
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Caroline Cheney Hills (1901–42) |
Residence | Newton, Massachusetts |
Alma mater | Yale University Harvard Law School |
Profession | Attorney |
[1][2][3] |
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
- Who's Who in State Politics, 1918, Boston, MA: Practical Politics, 1918, p. 102.
- Howard, Richard T. (1921), Public Officials of Massachusetts 1921–1922, Boston, MA: The Boston Review, p. Page 28.
- 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 | ||
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Preceded by Henry A. Wyman |
Massachusetts Attorney General 1920–1923 |
Succeeded by Jay R. Benton |