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Herbert F. DeSimone
Assistant Secretary of Transportation for the Environment and Urban System
In office
1971–1972
Appointed by Richard Nixon
64th Attorney General of Rhode Island
In office
1967–1971
Governor John Chafee
Frank Licht
Preceded by J. Joseph Nugent
Succeeded by Richard J. Israel
Personal details
Born (1929-09-05)September 5, 1929
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died November 27, 2013(2013-11-27) (aged 84)
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Resting place St. Francis Cemetery
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Political party Republican
Spouse Sally Reynolds DeSimone
Children Herbert DeSimone
Douglas DeSimone
Deborah DeSimone
Parents Florie DeSimone
Lena (Capuano) DeSimone
Residences Providence, Rhode Island
Alma mater La Salle Academy
Brown University
Columbia University Law School
Profession Attorney
Politician

Herbert F. DeSimone (September 5, 1929 – November 27, 2013) was an American lawyer and politician from Rhode Island. He served as the 64th Attorney General of Rhode Island and as President Nixon's Assistant Secretary of Transportation for the Environment and Urban System.

Early life

DeSimone was born in Providence, Rhode Island, the only child of Florie DeSimone and Lena (Capuano) DeSimone. He attended La Salle Academy before graduating from Brown University in 1951. While at Brown, DeSimone played college football and was defensive tackle for the 1949 team that was inducted into the Brown University Hall of Fame.

In 1954, he received his law degree from Columbia University Law School and was admitted to the Rhode Island bar. He began the practice of law in Rhode Island.

Political career

As a Republican, DeSimone served as Attorney General of Rhode Island from 1967-1971. He was the 1970 Republican nominee for Governor of Rhode Island but lost the election to Frank Licht. Shortly after his defeat, President Richard Nixon nominated DeSimone to be assistant secretary of the United States Department of Transportation for Environment and Urban System. He served in that position from 1971 to 1972. In 1972 he ran for Governor of Rhode Island again against Philip W. Noel, and was defeated. He then returned to the private practice of law.

In August 1976, President Gerald Ford nominated DeSimone to succeed Edward William Day as judge for the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island but United States Senator Edward Kennedy blocked the nomination.

In 1985, DeSimone was appointed Director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation by Governor Edward D. DiPrete. He also served as Director of the Providence Industrial Development Corporation and General Counsel for the Rhode Island Housing and Finance Corporation.

In 2002 he was awarded the Neil J. Houston Award for contributions to the Criminal Justice systems and Public Interest. He was also awarded Man of the Year by Engineering News Record and Man of the Year by the Italo-American Club of Rhode Island.

DeSimone was a longtime advisor and mentor to Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci. Cianci started his career in DeSimone's Attorney General office, and worked on DeSimone's 1970 and 1972 gubernatorial campaigns. DeSimone was present at Cianci's home the night in March 1983 when Cianci was accused of beating Raymond DeLeo. DeSimone testified in Cianci's trial, in which Cianci pleaded no contest to assault and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Personal life

DeSimone and his wife Sally Reynolds DeSimone had three children: Herbert DeSimone, Douglas DeSimone and Deborah DeSimone.

DeSimone died in Providence, Rhode Island on November 27, 2013.

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