George M. Fay (1909–1957) was a 20th-century American lawyer who twice served as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, first in 1946, then 1947–1951.[1]
George M. Fay | |
|---|---|
| United States Attorney for the District of Columbia | |
| In office 1946–1946 | |
| President | Harry S. Truman |
| Preceded by | Edward Matthew Curran |
| Succeeded by | George E. McNeil |
| In office 1946–1951 | |
| Preceded by | George E. McNeil |
| Succeeded by | Charles M. Irelan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Morris Fay 22 May 1909 |
| Died | 17 November 1957 (aged 48) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Dorothy M. Donovan |
| Children | 5 |
Background
editGeorge Morris Fay was born on May 22, 1909, in Pittston, Pennsylvania. His parents were William Michael Fay and Caroline Runner. In 1931, he received a BA from Georgetown University and in 1935 a Bachelors of Law.[1]
Career
edit
Early years
editFay started his career in the law firm of Fay & Anderson.
In 1935, Fay joined the Bureau of War Risk Litigation at the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1940, he joined its criminal division.
In 1944, he joined the United States Naval Reserves as a lieutenant through 1946.[citation needed]
U.S. Attorney General
edit
In 1946, he became special assistant to the U.S. Attorney General. Later that year, he received an interim appointment as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia In 1947, he was reappointed and confirmed by the United States Senate and served until 1951.[citation needed]
Starting in 1946, Fay cracked down on sex crimes in the area. "We saw a parade of sex offenses coming in–and nothing could be done. There was no law." Instead, sex crimes–molestation, solicitation, homosexuality–all resulted in disorderly conduct.[2][3]
On August 26, 1948, shortly after "Confrontation Day" when Alger Hiss and Whittaker Chambers met publicly for the first time during testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee, Fay expressed interest in pursuing a perjury charge against one of the two men.[4][5]
In 1949, Fay had eight restaurants in Washington, DC, raided for illegal gambling.[6]
Personal and death
editIn 1936, Fay married Dorothy M. Donovan. They had five children, Dorothy, Lynn, Joan, William and Gerard.[7]
Fay was a Democrat and member of the American Federal and District of Columbia Bar associations, the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Metropolitan Club.[citation needed]
Fay died age 48 on November 17, 1957.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "George Morris Fay". Washington Post. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Johnson, David K. (13 February 2009). The Lavender Scare: The Cold War Persecution of Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Government. University of Chicago Press. p. 56. ISBN 9780226401966. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Stewart, Chuck (16 December 2014). Proud Heritage: People, Issues, and Documents of the LGBT Experience [3 volumes]: People, Issues, and Documents of the LGBT Experience. ABC-CLIO. p. 914. ISBN 9781610693998. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Morris, John D. (28 August 1948). "Hiss-Chambers Farm Tie Studied; Accuser Accepts Challenge on Suit". New York Times. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Hearings of the United States Congress, House Committee on Un-American Activities. US GPO. 1948. p. 817. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ DeFerrari, John (11 August 2011). "Lost Washington: Hammel's Restaurant". Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Dorothy Donovan Fay". Washington Post. 3 August 1993. Retrieved 26 October 2017.