Daniel H. Coakley
| Daniel H. Coakley | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council from the 4th district | |
|
In office 1933–1941 |
|
| Preceded by | James H. Brennan |
| Succeeded by | John M. Cunningham |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 10, 1865 South Boston |
| Died | September 18, 1952 (aged 86) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Daniel H. Coakley Jr. |
| Occupation | Horse car conductor Journalist Lawyer Politician |
Daniel Henry Coakley (December 10, 1865 – September 18, 1952) was an American political figure and lawyer. As an attorney, he took part in numerous badger game extortion schemes. He was disbarred in 1922 for deceit, malpractice, and gross misconduct. He later was elected to the Massachusetts Governor's Council, where he secured a pardon for mobster Raymond L. S. Patriarca. He was impeached in 1941 for using his position and influence to secure pardons in exchange for financial gain.
Coakley was born on December 10, 1865 in South Boston. He attended Boston College, but did not graduate due to illness. Once he recovered he went to work for his father as a teamster. He left this job to work as a conductor for the Cambridge Street Railway. Coakley was fired in 1886 when he led a strike for higher wages. He then went to work for The New York Sun as a shorthand reporter. In 1888, he returned to Boston as sports writer for the Boston Herald. He was later promoted to sports editor. In addition to sports writing, Coakley also worked as a boxing referee. In 1892, Coakley left the Herald to attend Boston University Law School and launch his first campaign for public office.
In 1892, Coakley was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives from Cambridge's Ward 2. He was unseated in 1896 and moved to Boston, where he worked on the reelection campaign of Boston mayor John F. Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald later appointed Coakley to the Boston Park Commission. In 1909, Coakley managed the election campaign Suffolk County District Attorney Joseph C. Pelletier.
Coakley read law at his brother Timothy's law firm. He failed his first three attempts at the bar exam. Coakley was admitted to the Massachusetts bar on July 9, 1897 and the federal bar on January 25, 1911.
In 1909, Coakley served as the defense attorney for George H. Battis, a former Boston Alderman who was charged with larceny from the city of Boston. Battis was found guilty on two charges of larceny. That same year Coakley served as defense counsel for Michael J. Mitchell, the former head of Boston's supply department, who was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the city and conspiracy to commit larceny. Coakley also served as counsel for William J. "Big Bill" Keliher. Keliher was convicted of aiding in the looting of the National City Bank of Cambridge. He and Coakley later had a disagreement, leading to an incident which the police were called to remove Keliher from Coakley's office. Keliher accused Coakley of taking money from Keliher to bribe United States Attorney Asa P. French, one French's assistants, and the jury. French did not believe Keliher's accusations and chose not to investigate.
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