Adam Clayton Powell IV (politician)

Adam Clayton Powell IV
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 68th district
In office
January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2010
Preceded by Nelson Antonio Denis
Succeeded by Robert J. Rodriguez
Personal details
Born July 1962 (age 49)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Spouse(s) Andrea Dial (divorced)
Alma mater Howard University
Fordham University
Profession Politician

Adam Clayton Powell IV (born in 1962), was a member of the New York State Assembly. From 1992-1997 he served as New York City Council Member representing East Harlem and parts of the Upper West Side and the South Bronx. Since 2000, Powell has represented the 68th Assembly District, which includes parts of Harlem and East Harlem.[1] He was defeated by veteran Congressman Charles Rangel in the 2010 Democratic Primary for the seat of the 15th Congressional District.[2]

Contents

Early years

Powell (birth name: Adam Clayton Powell Diago)[3] was born to Civil Rights leader and former congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and his third wife Yvette Diago in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Powell's maternal grandfather Gonzalo Diago was a mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico and served as such from 1941 to 1945.[4] When his parents separated, Powell's mother was granted custody, and he was raised and educated in Puerto Rico. Powell has an older half-brother, Adam Clayton Powell III.

In 1980, Adam Clayton Powell Diago changed his name to Adam Clayton Powell IV when he came to the United States to study at Howard University in Washington, DC. (He can be confused with his nephew, also named Adam Clayton Powell IV, son of Adam Clayton Powell III). He later earned a law degree from Fordham University in New York.[5]

Political career

In preparation for his political life, in 1980, Adam Clayton Powell Diago changed his name to Adam Clayton Powell IV. He already had a nephew by that name: Adam Clayton Powell IV, son of Adam Clayton Powell III, leading to occasional confusion.

Powell joined the Democratic Party in 1989 and ran successfully for the New York City Council in 1991.[6] In 1994, Powell challenged Representative Charles B. Rangel for his seat in the United States House of Representatives, but lost.[1] In 1997, he ran for Manhattan borough president, lost again, and moved back to Puerto Rico.

For the next three years, Powell worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and managed his properties in Puerto Rico. There he participated in the Vieques protests, which demanded the departure of the U.S. Navy from that island. He was briefly married to Andrea Dial, a former Ebony Fashion Fair model. They had a son, Adam Clayton Powell V, before divorcing in the mid-1990s.[5]

After his return to New York and election to the state legislature, Powell was credited with passing the law known as SCRIE (Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption), which exempts seniors from paying any rent increases.[7] In 2007, Powell was in Albany for 90% of the legislative session.[8] In 2009, he attended 78.3% of the legislative sessions.[9][10]

Controversies

Fundraising

Powell recruited Andonis Morfesi as the fundraising co-chair for his political campaigns. When asked to explain his recruitment, Powell acknowledged that Morfesi owned buildings in his city council district, but added that "A lot of guys wouldn't be on my contributors' list if I started digging into their records." [11][12] Powell also recruited Pinnacle Management,[13] like Andonis Morfesi, Pinnacle Management owns and operates many buildings in Powell's assembly district.[14]

When Powell ran for Congress in 1994, he raised $64,000, 10% of which came from New York State,[15][16] the rest coming from Miami and New Jersey, including $5000 from Free Cuba PAC, Inc.,[17][18] headed by a leading figure in the Cuban-exile community Jorge Mas Canosa, who made a $1000 personal donation to Powell.[19][20]

Campaign funds

Powell spent $1,200 of his campaign funds traveling to Ireland.[21][22] Powell said he accompanied several lawmakers on the Ireland trip, which was sponsored by the New York American-Irish Legislators Society as a means to raise awareness of the issues that affect the Irish community.[21][22]

Powell also paid out a substantial legal bill to his criminal defense lawyer Murray Richman, Esq. and Stacey Richman, Esq.[23] On Monday December 14, 2009 the Daily News (New York) reported that Powell's campaign treasurer is also on Powell's Assembly payroll as a "constituent liaison." [24][25]

Vehicular charges

In 2008, Powell was arrested and charged for allegedly driving while intoxicated (DWI) on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City.[26][27][28] Powell's driver's license was suspended.[29] On 25 March 2010 Powell was acquitted of driving while intoxicated and found guilty of the lesser charge of driving while impaired. Powell's license was suspended for ninety days and he was ordered to attend a drunk driving course and fined $300. No criminal record was created by the conviction as it is considered only a traffic violation. One juror commented, "the whole thing is we didn't think he was drunk." [30]

Congressional race, 2010

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 2010

Powell lost to incumbent Representative Charles Rangel in the 2010 primary for the 15th district.[31]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Sabrina Tavernise, "No Charges for Legislator in Allegation of Sex Assault," New York Times, October 8, 2006, found at New York Times archives. Retrieved January 30, 2009.
  2. ^ Joel Siegel, "Rangel Defeats Powell in Harlem Grudge Match" September 14, 2010 http://abcnews.go.com/US/rangel-powell-gloves-off-harlem-congressional-primary-race/story?id=11634359
  3. ^ Newman, Andy (April 13. 2010). "If Your Name Is Powell, Take a Number". City Room Blog (New York Times). http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/13/if-your-name-is-powell-take-a-number/. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
  4. ^ Municipios - Acerca de San Juan
  5. ^ a b Ebony
  6. ^ Mckinley, James C. (1991-10-28). "In Harlem Race, Big Name vs. Political Clan". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/28/nyregion/in-harlem-race-big-name-vs-political-clan.html. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  7. ^ "New York State Assembly". New York State Assembly. http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=068&sh=bio. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  8. ^ "One Albany Lawmaker Isn't Much for Making Law". New York Sun. May 25, 2007. http://www.nysun.com/new-york/one-albany-lawmaker-isnt-much-for-making-law/55197/. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  9. ^ Lovett, Kenneth, (8/2/09),"Where, Oh, Where Are The Lawmmakers?" Daily News (New York)
  10. ^ The Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law, (May 2007.), "The New York State Legislative Process: an Evaluation and Blueprint for Review"
  11. ^ "The Prodigal Son Returns - page 1". Village Voice. 2000-08-22. http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-08-22/news/the-prodigal-son-returns/. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  12. ^ Lambert, Bruce (1987-10-30). "Andrew Stein Charges $40 Million in Housing Fines Are Uncollected". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/30/nyregion/andrew-stein-charges-40-million-in-housing-fines-are-uncollected.html. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  13. ^ "Campaign Financial Disclosure-Adam Clayton Powell". New York State Board of Elections. September, 2009. http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/CONTRIBUTORA_COUNTY?ID_in=A12002&date_From=&date_to=&AMOUNT_From=&AMOUNT_to=&ZIP1=&ZIP2=&ORDERBY_IN=N&CATEGORY_IN=ALL. Retrieved May 2, 2010. 
  14. ^ http://www.brennancenter.org/page/-/Justice/RTC%20NY%20Daily%20News%207-26-06.pdf
  15. ^ - Does Adam Clayton Powell IV Deserve a Second Act? "The Prodigal Son Returns". The Village voice. August 22, 2000. http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-08-22/news/the-prodigal-son-returns - Does Adam Clayton Powell IV Deserve a Second Act?. Retrieved July 24, 2010. 
  16. ^ "Charles B. Rangel, Congressman". Afrocubaweb.com. http://www.afrocubaweb.com/rangel.htm#funds. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  17. ^ "Rangel, Powell spar - New York Amsterdam News". Encyclopedia.com. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P1-2267723.html. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  18. ^ "Article: `Harlem not for sale!' clergy urge Candidate Adam Clayton Powell IV - New York Amsterdam News | HighBeam Research". Highbeam.com. 1994-08-20. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2265863.html. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  19. ^ "No Mas Canosa - the death of Cuban political figure Jorge Mas Canosa". Monthly Review. March, 1999. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1132/is_10_50/ai_54545997/pg_8/. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  20. ^ Antonio de la Cova. "No Mas Canosa - the death of Cuban political figure Jorge Mas Canosa - Obituary". Latinamericanstudies.org. http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/exile/canosa.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  21. ^ a b Gearty, Robert; Ross, Barbara; Lesser, Benjamin (2009-09-06). "Too many loopholes: Campaign money goes for cars, spas & travel". New York: NY Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/09/06/2009-09-06_pols_living_high_on_their_campaign_hogs_money_meant_to_fund_races_goes_for_cars_.html?page=2. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  22. ^ a b http://solanaanderik.com/articles/AlbanyCampaignSpending.pdf
  23. ^ Baker, Al (2004-07-03). "Woman Says Assemblyman Raped Her in an Apartment". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/03/nyregion/woman-says-assemblyman-raped-her-in-an-apartment.html. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  24. ^ Ross, Barbara; Moore, Tina (2009-12-14). "State pols' aides leading double lives: 49 key staffers face conflict over positions". New York: NY Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/12/14/2009-12-14_state_pols_aides_leading_double_lives_49_key_staffers_face_conflict_over_positio.html. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  25. ^ Editorials (2009-12-14). "Albany's double trouble: Pernicious pols put political aides in charge of campaign cash". New York: NY Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/12/14/2009-12-14_albanys_double_trouble.html. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  26. ^ Mfuni, Tanangachi; Schapiro, Rich (2008-03-08). "Harlem pol Adam Clayton Powell 4th busted for DUI". New York: NY Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/03/06/2008-03-06_harlem_pol_adam_clayton_powell_4th_buste-3.html. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  27. ^ Del, John (2008-03-06). "Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell 4th Arrested for DUI". Gothamist. http://gothamist.com/2008/03/06/assemblyman_ada.php. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  28. ^ Hartocollis, Anemona; Moynihan, Colin (2008-03-07). "Assemblyman Faces a Charge of Drunken Driving". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/nyregion/07powell.html?_r=1. Retrieved 2010-04-23. 
  29. ^ Hartocollis, Anemona; Moynihan, Colin (2008-03-07). "Assemblyman Faces a Charge of Drunken Driving". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/nyregion/07powell.html. Retrieved 2010-04-23. 
  30. ^ Italiano, Laura (March 25, 2010). "Adam Clayton Powell IV acquitted of DWI charge, found guilty of driving while impaired". The New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/powell_acquitted_impaired_dwi_charge_F2LvaHmMePJzpIPA4hTneN. Retrieved March 25, 2010. 
  31. ^ Kane, Paul (September 15, 2010). "Despite ethics cloud, Rangel easily wins primary". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/14/AR2010091407143.html. Retrieved September 15, 2010. 

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Carolyn Maloney		 New York City Council, 8th District
1992–1997		 Succeeded by
Philip Reed
New York Assembly
Preceded by
Nelson Antonio Denis		 New York State Assembly, 68th District
2001–2010		 Succeeded by
Robert J. Rodriguez