Matthew J. Troy Jr., 75; Ex-N.Y. Councilman Stole From Clients

Matthew J. Troy Jr., 75, a former New York City councilman who was convicted of tax evasion and stealing from his clients, died Friday in New York City of Parkinson’s disease.

An influential Queens Democratic leader in the 1970s, Troy served on the City Council from 1964 to 1976 and once aspired to become a U.S. senator. In 1976, he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of income tax evasion after he was accused of filing a 1972 form that omitted the $37,000 he stole from the estates of clients.

Although he was disbarred over the misdemeanor conviction, he was allowed to retain his council seat. He was defeated for reelection in 1977.

Two years after that, Troy was convicted of state grand larceny arising from the 1976 case. He later regained his law license and became executive director of the Long Island Gasoline Retailers Assn.