John C. Mandanici

John C. Mandanici was a supermarket manager and former mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He died in January 1986 at the age of 68.^[1]

Family and Personal Life

John C. Mandanici had two sons, Francis, who later became public defender in Bridgeport, CT,^[2] and John C. Mandanici Jr, a Connecticut State Trooper.^[3][4]

Mayor of Bridgeport

Mandanici is credited with starting Captain's Cove, the city's public marina.^[5] Mandanici lost the 1981 election amid scandals and was reputed to have worn a bulletproof vest while campaigning.^[6] In the election, he ran as an Independent because he did not win the Democratic nomination.^[7]

Corruption

In 1983, 19 members of Mandanici's staff were indicted by the FBI.^[8] This included his son, John C. Mandanici Jr.^[9] A total of 16 members of the former mayor's office were convicted, which included; officials, employees, and associates.^[10] Mandanici Sr. was never indicted.^[11] However, $5,800 in fines were levied against his campaign. These included $600 fines against his son, John C. Manadici Jr. and a former campaign aide Mario Testa, who was Chairman of the Special Committee.^[12] The FBI probe caused a war, where a car was firebombed outside of Republican headquarters and 2 cars were blown up in Mandanici's driveway.^[13]

References

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