Joshua Eilberg

Joshua Eilberg

Joshua Eilberg (February 12, 1921 – March 24, 2004) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Early life and education

Eilburg was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Central High School (Philadelphia), the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University School of Law, both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Legal and political career

He entered the United States Naval Reserve. He entered private practice as a lawyer. He became assistant district attorney of the city of Philadelphia from 1952 to 1954. He was elected as a member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, serving from 1954 to 1966. He was the majority leader of this body in 1965–1966. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1960, 1964 and 1968, and the Democratic ward leader, fifty-fourth ward, city of Philadelphia. He was elected in 1966 as a Democrat to the 90th and to the five succeeding Congresses. In 1974, Eilberg defeated Chris Matthews, now host of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, in the Democratic primary. In 1978, he defeated Mark B. Cohen in the Democratic primary, before losing to Charles F. Dougherty. While in office, he served as the Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and International Law.

Controversy, indictment and guilty plea

In 1978, then-U.S. Attorney David W. Marston investigated Eilberg for money he received in connection with a federal grant to Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia. Eilberg contacted the Carter White House, and Marston was later fired.^[1] Eilberg lost his 1978 reelection bid, and, three months later, pleaded guilty to conflict of interest charges. He was sentenced to five years of probation and a $10,000 fine.^[2]

Notes

1. ↑ That Mishandled Marston Affair Time Magazine. February 6, 1978. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
2. ↑ Joshua Eilberg (Obituary) Blog of Death. April 11, 2004. Retrieved April 15, 2007.

References

• Joshua Eilberg at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress