Skip to content

Edward J. Fitzgerald

Released
Full name:Edward Fitzgerald
Gender:Male
Race:White
Era:1950s
State:New York
Support
Civil Liberties
No image available

Biography

Edward J. Fitzgerald was a former New Deal government official, named by the informer Elizabeth Bentley, who was prosecuted as the second test case of the 1954 Compulsory Testimony (immunity) Act after refusing to answer a federal grand jury investigating alleged wartime espionage. He was convicted of contempt in August 1955, sentenced to six months, and appealed, calling the case 'a curtain raiser for the 1956 elections.'

Case

Charges: Contempt — refusing to testify under the Compulsory Testimony (immunity) Act of 1954
Sentence: Six months; released on bail pending appeal Verdict as recorded: Convicted of contempt August 1955; on appeal
Convicted: Yes