Basil Russo

Basil M. Russo
Residence Cleveland, Ohio
Alma mater John Carroll University,
Cleveland–Marshall College of Law
Occupation politician,
attorney
judge
Known for City Council President,
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas,
Judge of the Eighth District Court of Appeals
Political party Democratic

Basil M. Russo is an American attorney, politician of the Democratic Party, judge. He was majority leader of Cleveland City Council during the time when the city went into default. Russo unsuccessfully ran in 1979 Cleveland mayoral election. Later he served as a judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas and judge of the Ohio's Eighth District Court of Appeals.[1][2]

Russo served as managing partner of the law firm of Russo, Rosalina & Co, LPA from the firm's founding in 1978 until his retirement in 2014.[1][3] In 2014, national president of the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America.[4] His is the father of Anthony and Joe Russo, directors of the Captain America movies.

Early and personal life

Russo is the son of the late State Rep. and Cleveland ward boss Anthony J. and Domenica "Donnie" Russo. His brothers are of Probate Court Presiding Judge Anthony J. Russo and disgraced former Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo, who resigned in 2010 after pleading guilty in the well-known county corruption scandal.[5]

Russo received an undergraduate degree from John Carroll University and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Russo's two sons, Anthony and Joe, are Hollywood filmmakers, who are known for Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016) and You, Me and Dupree (2006).[4]

Political career

Russo served as majority leader of Cleveland City Council[6] during the time when the city went into default in 1979.[7][8]

1980 Mayoral campaign

In July 1979, Russo announced that he would enter the 1979 Cleveland mayoral election, challenging fellow Democrat, the beleaguered incumbent Dennis Kucinich. Kuicinich was considered vulnerable, having narrowly survived a recall election the year before by just over 200 votes out of more than 120,000 votes. The field already included Ohio State Senator Charlie Butts and quickly grew in July with addition Republican George Voinovich, who was Lieutenant Governor of Ohio. Also, Thabo L. Ntweng of the socialist worker's party would also join the race. Russo would finish third in the nonpartisan primary in the crowded field, garnering a respectable 21,962, or 17.27%,[9] behind eventual winner Voinovich and the incumbent Kuicinich.

References

  1. 1 2 "Russo Rosalina Bio". Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  2. ↑ Judicial Notice. The Conference. 1982.
  3. ↑ Congressional Record, V. 146, Pt. 12, July 27, 2000 to September 13 2000. Government Printing Office. May 2005. pp. 16890–. GGKEY:6RR4LA5LCR1.
  4. 1 2 Michael K. McIntyre (August 22, 2014). "Cleveland's Basil Russo, father of the famous filmmaking Russo Brothers, elected president of Italian Sons and Daughters of America". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  5. ↑ Michael K. McIntyre (November 19, 2011). "Five vie for Democratic leaders' endorsement". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
  6. ↑ Ohio Public Interest Campaign (1979). The Battle of Cleveland: public interest challenges corporate power. Conference on Alternative State and Local Policies.
  7. ↑ Mark Gottlieb; Diana Tittle (1 November 1987). America's soapbox: seventy-five years of free speaking at Cleveland's City Club forum. Citizens Press. ISBN 978-0-940601-03-1.
  8. ↑ Briton Hadden (1978). Time. Time Incorporated.
  9. ↑ "Cleveland Mayor - Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2016-06-19.
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