American politician
Thomas Martin Nolan (October 24, 1916 – April 7, 1989) was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 34th district from 1969 to 1970 and the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 44th district from 1971 to 1978.[2][3]
Early life
Nolan was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Central Catholic High School. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart and 3 battle stars.[4]
Career
He represented the 34th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1969 to 1970.[5] He was then elected to represent the 44th senatorial district in the Pennsylvania Senate in 1970.[6]
During a 1971 debate, Governor Milton Shapp's proposed a 5% state income tax. Nolan was one of two democratic holdouts in the Pennsylvania Senate. When the suggested rate was reduced to 3.5%, Nolan finally agreed to vote in favor of it.[7] It was alleged that Nolan's brother Edward, was offered a bribe in exchange for convincing his brother to vote in favor of the tax.[8] The matter was referred to the FBI, the Allegheny County District Attorney, and U.S. Attorney Richard Thornburgh, but no charges were ever filed.[7]
Thom Nolan served in the Senate until 1978.
He and three other defendants, including Vince Fumo and Pete Carmiel, were accused of placing "ghost workers" on state payroll.[9] The charges were later thrown out.
He died on April 7, 1989, in Braddock, Pennsylvania and is interred at Church Hill Cemetery in Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania.[4]
References
