Raphael J. Musto
Encyclopedia
Raphael John Musto, usually known as Ray Musto (born March 30, 1929) is a Democratic
politician, and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
. He later served in the Pennsylvania Senate from 1982 until his retirement in 2010.
Musto is a lifelong resident of Pittston
, near Wilkes-Barre. He served in the United States Army
from 1951 to 1953. He graduated from Kings College
in Wilkes-Barre in 1971.
When his father, longtime State Representative
James Musto, died in 1971, the younger Musto won a special election to fill his seat. He was elected to a full term in 1972 and was reelected three times.
In 1980, longtime Congressman Dan Flood
, who had represented for most of the time since 1945, resigned after being censured for bribery. Musto won a four-way special election for the remainder of Flood's term. He ran for a full term later that year, but was narrowly defeated by Republican
challenger James Nelligan
, whom Musto had defeated in the special election.
Musto was elected to the state Senate in 1982 and was reelected six times, representing a district consisting of Wilkes-Barre and portions of the Poconos. He did not seek re-election in 2010
, choosing instead to retire at the end of his term.
On November 23, 2010, a federal grand jury issued a six-count indictment against Musto, charging him with accepting more than $28,000 from an unnamed company and individual in exchange for his help in obtaining grants and funding. Musto was also charged with accepting $3,000 from another unnamed individual in a separate incident. Musto has denied any wrongdoing.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician, and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He later served in the Pennsylvania Senate from 1982 until his retirement in 2010.
Musto is a lifelong resident of Pittston
Pittston, Pennsylvania
Pittston is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States, between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. It gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an active anthracite coal mining city, drawing a large portion of its labor force from European immigrants. The population was...
, near Wilkes-Barre. He served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1951 to 1953. He graduated from Kings College
King's College, Pennsylvania
King's College is a liberal arts college located in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, King's has been ranked among the best colleges in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for 16 straight years...
in Wilkes-Barre in 1971.
When his father, longtime State Representative
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
James Musto, died in 1971, the younger Musto won a special election to fill his seat. He was elected to a full term in 1972 and was reelected three times.
In 1980, longtime Congressman Dan Flood
Daniel J. Flood
Daniel John "Dan" Flood was a flamboyant and long-serving Democratic United States Representative from Pennsylvania. He was censured for bribery and resigned from the House in 1980.-Early life and career:...
, who had represented for most of the time since 1945, resigned after being censured for bribery. Musto won a four-way special election for the remainder of Flood's term. He ran for a full term later that year, but was narrowly defeated by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
challenger James Nelligan
James L. Nelligan
James Leo Nelligan was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.-Biography:James L. Nelligan was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He attended King's College in Wilkes-Barre, graduating in 1951. He served in the United States Army, and worked as an accountant...
, whom Musto had defeated in the special election.
Musto was elected to the state Senate in 1982 and was reelected six times, representing a district consisting of Wilkes-Barre and portions of the Poconos. He did not seek re-election in 2010
Pennsylvania Senate elections, 2010
The 2010 elections for the Pennsylvania State Senate were held on November 2, 2010, with the even-numbered districts contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 18, 2010. The term of office for those elected in 2010 run from January 4, 2011 until November 30, 2014...
, choosing instead to retire at the end of his term.
On November 23, 2010, a federal grand jury issued a six-count indictment against Musto, charging him with accepting more than $28,000 from an unnamed company and individual in exchange for his help in obtaining grants and funding. Musto was also charged with accepting $3,000 from another unnamed individual in a separate incident. Musto has denied any wrongdoing.