Asa Bird Gardiner
| Asa Bird Gardiner | |
|---|---|
Asa Bird Gardiner
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| Born |
September 30, 1839 Manhattan, New York City |
| Died | May 24, 1919 (aged 79) Suffern, New York |
| Place of burial | Green-Wood Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1888 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | Carlisle, Pennsylvania |
| Awards | Medal of Honor (Revoked) |
| Other work | (removed from office) |
District Attorney of New York County
Asa Bird Gardiner (September 30, 1839 – May 24, 1919) was a controversial American soldier, attorney, and district attorney for New York County (a.k.a. the Borough of Manhattan) from 1898 to 1900.
He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the American Civil War in 1872 but it was rescinded in 1917 when supporting documentation was not found. As a Judge Advocate in the United States Army, he prosecuted the case of Johnson Chesnut Whittaker, a black cadet at West Point.
He was elected New York County District Attorney in 1897, but was put on trial for corruption, and despite acquittal, was removed from office by Theodore Roosevelt in 1900. He refused to prosecute the corrupt Tammany Hall bosses of New York City, proclaiming "The hell with reform!" (or "Reform be damned!").
Asa Bird Gardiner was born on September 30, 1839 in New York City. His birth name was Asa Bird Gardner - without the "i" which he added when he legally changed his name in 1884. He was born at Fraunces Tavern, where his father and uncle were innkeepers. His father later ran the Philadelphia Hotel.
He graduated A.B. from the College of the City of New York in 1859 and a LL.B. from New York University School of Law in 1860. He was admitted to the New York City Bar Association and began private practice as an attorney.
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