Succeeded by Leo Medina (D-12) Name Joseph Almeida Political party Democratic Role American Politician | Children 5 Party Democratic Party | |
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Full Name Joseph S. Almeida, Jr. Born September 23, 1957 (age 66) ( 1957-09-23 ) Residence Providence, Rhode Island, United States | ||
Education Roger Williams University Alma mater Roger Williams College | ||
Battle over Black History Month
Joseph S. Almeida, Jr. (born September 23, 1957) is a Cape Verdean American politician, and is the Rhode Island State Representative for the 12th District (Providence). He is a Democrat.
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Biography
Almeida was born on September 23, 1957, in Providence. He attended high school at the La Salle Academy, graduating in 1975, and majored with a BA from the Roger Williams College in 1990. He is married and has 5 children. In September 1997, Almeida retired as a Providence police officer.
Political career
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 unapposed to Leo Medina in the general election. Almeida was elected again in November 2012 and returned to represent District 12.
During his second term in office, Almeida was elected as the majority leader for the Democratic party on March 25, 2014. Following his arrest in 2015, Almeida resigned from his position as party leader.
Arrest
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 not guilty. In a court hearing in May 2015, Almeida was given a $1,000 fine and a year on probation.
Lawsuit
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 Rhode Island Hospital. The lawsuit was brought to trial in May 2003 and ended with a financial settlement of an estimated $200,000.