Joseph Almeida

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Almeida
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
from the 12th (Providence) district
In office
January 2015 – January 5, 2021
Preceded byLeo Medina
Succeeded byJose Batista
In office
5 January 1999 – 4 January 2011
Succeeded byLeo Medina
Personal details
Born
Joseph S. Almeida, Jr.

(1957-09-23) September 23, 1957 (age 66)
Political partyDemocratic
Children5
ResidenceProvidence
Alma materRoger Williams College
Website[1]

Joseph S. Almeida, Jr. (born September 23, 1957) is a Cape Verdean American politician who served as the Rhode Island State Representative for the 12th District from 2015 to 2021. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Biography[edit]

Almeida was born on September 23, 1957, in Providence, Rhode Island.[1] He attended high school at the La Salle Academy, graduating in 1975, and majored with a Bachelor of Arts from the Roger Williams College in 1990. He is married and has 5 children.[2] In September 1997, Almeida retired as a Providence police officer.[3]

Political career[edit]

Almeida was a financial strategist and owned a bar prior to being first elected a Rhode Island State Representative, on November 3, 1998. Almeida kept his seat in the general assembly until September 14, 2010, when he lost to Leo Medina in the general election.[4] Almeida was elected again in November 2012 and returned to represent District 12.[5]

During his second term in office, Almeida was elected as the majority leader for the Democratic party on March 25, 2014.[6] Following his arrest in 2015, Almeida resigned from his position as party leader.[3]

Arrest[edit]

On February 10, 2015, Almeida was arrested and charged by Rhode Island State Police for misappropriating $6,122 in campaign funds for personal use. Almeida pleaded no contest.[2] In a court hearing in May 2015, Almeida was given a $1,000 fine and a year on probation.[7]

Personal life[edit]

Lawsuit[edit]

On September 16, 1996, Almeida's wife Denise Welsey died at the Rhode Island Hospital from a pulmonary embolism. After his wife's death, Almeida filed a wrongful death claim against the hospital. The lawsuit was brought to trial in May 2003 and ended with a financial settlement of an estimated $200,000.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Joseph Almeida, Jr's Biography - The Voter's Self Defense System - Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Office of the Secretary of State: Nellie M. Gorbea: Directory of Government Officials". sos.ri.gov. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b McGowan, Dan (10 February 2015). "Rep. Almeida arrested over campaign finances". wpri.com. WPRI Eyewitness News. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  4. ^ "2010 General Election Results District 12". Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  5. ^ "Biography of Representative Joseph S. Almeida". State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  6. ^ Blum, Alexander. "R.I. majority leader becomes speaker of the House". browndailyherald.com. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  7. ^ Mulvaney, Katie. "R.I. Rep. Almeida pleads no contest to misusing campaign funds, gets 1 year probation, $1,000 fine". Providence Journal. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  8. ^ Gudrais, Elizabeth. "From The Journal's archives: Finance member's tough times". Providence Journal. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
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