J. Weston Allen

J. Weston Allen
Massachusetts Attorney General
In office 1920–1923
Preceded by	Henry A. Wyman
Succeeded by	Jay R. Benton
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives[1] 4th Middlesex District[2]
In office 1915[1] – 1918[1]
Personal details
Born	April 19, 1872[3] Newton Highlands, Massachusetts[3]
Died	January 1, 1942 (aged 69)[4] Waverly, New York[4]
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Caroline Cheney Hills (1901–1942)[4]
Residence	Newton, Massachusetts[3]
Alma mater	Yale University Harvard Law School[3]
Profession	Attorney

John Weston Allen^[4] (born April 19, 1872 in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts,^[4] died January 1, 1942 in Waverly, New York^[5]) was an American politician who served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1915–1918^[3] and as Massachusetts Attorney General from 1920–1923.

As Attorney General, Allen was aggressive in his pursuit of white collar criminals.^[6] During his tenure, Allen prosecuted Thomas W. Lawson, L. C. Van Riper,^[6] and Charles Ponzi.^[4]

Instead of seeking reelection, Allen ran for Governor of Massachusetts in 1922. He won the Republican nomination, but lost the general election to incumbent Channing H. Cox. Allen served as a member of the United States Attorney General's National Crime Commission from 1926–1936 and was the commission's chairman from 1930–1936.

References

1. Howard, Richard T. (1921), Public Officials of Massachusetts 1921–1922, Boston, MA: The Boston Review, p. Page 28.
2. Who's Who in State Politics, 1918, Boston, MA: Practical Politics, 1918, p. 102.
3. Richard T. Howard. Public Officials of Massachusetts 1921–22. The Boston Review.
4. "John Weston Allen (1872–1942)". Retrieved 2010-02-13.
5. "J. Weston Allen, 69, Ex-Attorney General In Bay State, Dies". The Hartford Courant. Jan 2, 1942.
6. "LAWSON AND OTHER BOSTON BROKERS FINED; Pleading Guilty to Breach of Statute on Mining Stocks, He and Van Riper Pay $1,000.". New York Times. April 22, 1920. Retrieved 2010-02-13.