Michael Wildes

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Michael J. Wildes
Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey
In office
2003–2010
Preceded by Paul Fader
Succeeded by Frank Huttle III
Englewood City Councilman
In office
1998–2001
Personal details
Born Queens, New York City, New York
Alma mater Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Occupation Attorney
Religion Jewish
Website Wildes and Weinberg PC

Michael J. Wildes is an American immigration lawyer and senior partner of Wildes and Weinberg PC. He is a former Federal Prosecutor for the Eastern District of New York,[1] and a former Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey.[2] He is recognized as an authority on Immigration Law, and has been referred to as the “Attorney to the stars,” on issues of immigration.[3][4]

Early life, education, and law career

He served with the NYPD as an Auxiliary Police Officer from 1982-1992.

Wildes served with the United States Attorney's Office in Brooklyn from 1989-1993 and testified on Capitol Hill in connection with anti-terrorism legislation. He has represented several defectors who have provided difficult to obtain national security information to the United States.[5][6][7][8]

He was appointed by the President of the United States to the District Appeals Board of the Selective Service System for the State of New Jersey and is a member of the Committee on Present Danger[9] (where he serves with former CIA Director, James Woolsey and Senator Joseph Lieberman).

Notable clients
Academic career

Wildes is now an adjunct professor at Yeshiva University's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.[13]

Political career

Controversial statements

Wildes received widespread acclaim for his challenge to Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi when he organized rallies[14] and pressed the U.S. State Department to prevent the Libyan leader from staying in a tent on Donald Trump's estate in Englewood during the 2009 United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City.[15][16]

He said, “I have every problem with a person who admittedly blew up a plane killing 38 New Jersey residents and has the audacity in recent days to give a hero’s welcome to a convicted terrorist. To have to remove his rubbish free of charge is insulting.” He was referring to the cost of the cleanup and security for the Libyan leader and the protestors who would come.[14]

In the documentary Enemy Alien, Wildes was portrayed as suggesting that the Japanese internment during World War II might have been justified.[17]

Fundraising

Michael has become nationally recognized in the Democratic Party as a leading fundraiser for congressional and senate candidates throughout the United States---including U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Joe Lieberman, etc. Senator Kennedy had said that he had "high expectations" that Michael Wildes will be joining them in the United States Congress in the future.[18][19] The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) voted him one of their “100 National Up and Coming Leaders to Watch.[20]”

Englewood politics

After serving two terms on the Englewood, NJ, City Council, Wildes was elected Mayor in November 2003 and again to a second term in November 2006.

2012 congressional election

In March 2012, Wildes decided to run in the newly redrawn New Jersey's 9th congressional district, based in Bergen and Passaic counties. In the Democratic primary, he will face U.S. Congressmen Steve Rothman and Bill Pascrell. It had been speculated that Wildes' candidacy would have helped Pascrell. Wildes ultimately decided not to run and he put his support behind Rep. Rothman in the Democratic primary;[21] Rothman lost that election. Wildes has $700,000 on hand.[22]

Philanthropy career

Wildes served as chair of the American Jewish Congress' Committee on International Terrorism.[23] He is a member of the Advisory Board for the Urban League of Bergen County,[24] and Member of the Board of Directors of Boys Town Jerusalem.[25] He is a certified EMT[26] and a Member of the Hatzoloh Volunteer Ambulance Corps[27] in New York; the Englewood Volunteer Ambulance Corp (EVAC), and served over 10 years (1982-1992) with the NYPD as an Auxiliary Police Officer.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Members of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy". 12/10/2007. Retrieved 2011-04-08. 
  2. ↑ O'Reilly, Bill. "Major Sex Slavery Ring Busted in Minn. Involves illegal immigrants; Angers Activists". Fox News. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  3. ↑ Fabrikant, Mel (October 22, 2010). "Attorney to the Stars, Michael Wildes, Retained By Best-Selling Artist Sarah Brightman". Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  4. ↑ Lipowsky, Josh (September 9, 2010). "Former Englewood Mayor Wildes Boosts Jewish Boxer Salita". The Standard of Bergen County. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  5. ↑ "Defector says Pakistan had nuclear first strike plan". CNN News. July 1, 1998. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  6. ↑ Jennings, Peter (July 1, 1998). "Attorney Michael Wildes with Pakistani Defector". ABC News. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  7. ↑ Sugg, John (February 1999). "Steven Emerson's Crusade". FAIR, the national media watch group. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  8. ↑ Wildes, Michael; Angela Khaminwa, Frank Emmert, Richard Horowitz, Esq. Hans Smit (11 February 2003). "Negotiating With Terrorists And Non-State Actors: The Journey To World Peace". Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution (Cardozo Law School) 2 (2). 
  9. ↑ "Our Members". The Committee on the Present Danger. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  10. ↑ "Pele gets U.S. visa to join Cosmos staff". Big Apple Soccer. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  11. ↑ "Miss Universe 2009 Secures A U.S. Green Card". The Wonk Room. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  12. ↑ Myricks, Dan (November 3, 2010). "Immigration Attorney Secures Visa for Miss Universe 2010". Focus Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  13. ↑ "Michael Wildes to Serve as Adjunct Professsor". Fox 49 Tallahassee. July 13, 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Berger, Joseph (August 27, 2009). "Qaddafi’s Visit Upsets N.J. Residents". New York Times. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  15. ↑ "Estate at center of Gaddafi protests vandalized". The Associated Press. September 24, 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  16. ↑ DeMarco, Jerry (August 28, 2009). "Qadaffi not coming to Englewood". Cliffview Pilot. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  17. ↑ Panovka, Rebecca (July 2011). "Exigent Times: Konrad Aderer’s Enemy Alien". The New York Observer. Retrieved 5 October 2011. 
  18. ↑ Davidovit, Aliza (October 2007). "Leading by Example". Lifestyles Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  19. ↑ "Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes hosts benefit for US Senator Ted Kennedy". JerseyPolitics. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  20. ↑ "DLC Spotlights 100 of the Rising New Democrat Stars". About the Democratic Leadership Council. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  21. ↑ Pizarro, Max (March 30, 2012). "Wildes endorses Rothman in CD 9". PolitickerNJ. 
  22. ↑ http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/143438286_Ex-mayor_s_possible_run_could_aid_Pascrell.html
  23. ↑ Volmer, Jackelyn. "Q&A With Michael Wildes". Yeshiva University Commentator. Yeshiva University. Retrieved 8 March 2005. 
  24. ↑ "The Urban League for Bergen County Advisory Board". The Urban League for Bergen County. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  25. ↑ "Boys Town Jerusalem Foundation of America". National Board of Directors. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  26. ↑ Engel, Josh (November 2009). "Mayor Michael Wildes Gives Back". The Resident. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 
  27. ↑ Engel, Josh (November 2009). "Mayor Michael Wildes Gives Back". Resident. 11 22: Pg. 108. 
  28. ↑ "Mayoralty Race in Englewood Echoes Senate Race in Connecticut, but, in NJ, the Orthodox Candidate is the Democrat and the Left-Wing Is Supporting the Independent". Jewish Post and Opinion. October 2006. Retrieved 8 April 2011. 

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