Fred O. Wilson (July 24, 1903 – July 30, 1983) was an American politician who served as the Attorney General of Arizona from 1949 to 1953.
Early life and education Fred O. Wilson, son of Edna Ozanne and Walter S. Wilson (1877-1964), was born in Maricopa County in 1903. Wilson attended Stanford University and was admitted to the United States Supreme Court bar on May 24, 1937.
Career From 1938 to 1942, he lived in Washington, DC and served as an assistant attorney for the Federal Security Agency. He then spent two years in Denver, Colorado working for the Agency as Assistant Regional Attorney. Moving to Arizona, he worked a in a number of government jobs including as an Assistant Attorney General at the Employment Security Commission and the Arizona Industrial Commission.Arizona Sun, May 21, 1948, Page Five
Wilson unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for Arizona Attorney General in 1944. He prevailed against Yale McFate in the 1948 Democratic primary. He then defeated his Republican challenger Laurens Henderson in the following election. In 1950, Wilson faced John Jacob Rhodes and won reelection. In 1952, Wilson defeated Robert Morrison in the primary but then lost the general election to Republican Ross F. Jones.Fred O. Wilson at the Website Our Campaigns
After his election defeat and subsequent bribery trial, Wilson went into private practice in Phoenix. In 1954, he moved to Show Low and became City Attorney.
In 1960, he was elected as Navajo County Attorney.1962 Letter to Frank O. Wilson, Navajo County AttorneyHistory of Holbrook pdfOpinion No. 61-73, 24. October 1961Letter Opinion No. 61-147-L, 10. November 1961
In 1962, he ran for a judgeship in Navajo County,The Fort Apache Scout, September 01, 1962, Page 6 but lost to Melvyn T. Shelley. He was succeeded as county attorney by John F. Taylor.John F. Taylor
Wilson died on July 30, 1983.Arizona Republic, August 2, 1983
Bribery trial In 1953, Pima County Attorney Robert Morrison charged Wilson with bribery and conspiracy to violate the state's gambling laws.Yuma Sun Newspaper Archives April 16, 1953 The trial venue was moved from Tucson to Yuma and took place in April 1953, with newly elected attorney general Ross F. Jones, county attorney Morris K. Udall, and Special Prosecutor Norman Herring forming the prosecution team. Arizona Daily Star Friday, January 16, 1953 Maurice T. Gurney, claimed that Wilson offered Gurney $800 to $1,000 a month if he would allow a friend of his to operate gambling in Pima county. Wilson denied ever having a meeting with Gurney and testified: "As God is my Judge, I never had a meeting with Gurney except for saying a few words to him in the sheriff's office and seeing him once in the Elks Club."Yuma Sun Newspaper Archives, April 23, 1953
Wilson was acquitted.Yuma Sun Newspaper Archives April 25, 1953 Page 1
Further reading Peplow, Edward Haduck: History of Arizona, Band 3, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1958, S. 232 1948 Image - Arizona Sun
References