Bob Levy

Robert W. Levy, Sr., known as Bob Levy (born May 16, 1947, in Atlantic City, New Jersey ), is a Democratic politician and the former Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey. In September 2007, Levy disappeared from Atlantic City without telling the public or the press why he was leaving. His sudden absence sparked a controversy over who should become the acting mayor of Atlantic City. On October 10, 2007, attorneys for Levy announced his resignation, effective immediately.

Early life Levy is a lifelong resident of Atlantic City. He became a lifeguard in 1960 and married in 1964 after graduating from Atlantic City High School. Levy married Hazel Washington, an African American woman, and experienced hostility from his own family for the interracial marriage.

Military career Shortly after his marriage, Levy enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Return to Atlantic City After he retired Levy went back to being a lifeguard and in 1986 became the chief lifeguard and beach patrol chief. Between 1990 and 2003, appointed by then-Mayor Jim Whelan, Levy served as Atlantic City's Emergency Management Director. Upon this information, federal investigators began to examine whether or not Levy properly obtained a Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) that he used to obtain additional veterans' benefits. Levy admitted that he lied about receiving the CIB as well as Parachutist Badge or "jump wings". Levy also admitted that there were false entries on his official service record which he did not correct and that he used these false entries to obtain benefits. His lawyer later revealed that Levy had checked into the Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead, New Jersey, about two hours north of Atlantic City. At the time of Mayor Levy's unexplained disappearance, Atlantic City Business Administrator Domenic Cappella told officials and the press that Levy had verbally designated him as acting mayor of Atlantic City.

During the Atlantic City Council meeting on October 3, 2007, both members of the public and the council demanded the Business Administrator yield the office of Acting Mayor of Atlantic City to the President of the City Council, William Marsh. On October 5, 2007, claiming that the "mysterious disappearance of Mayor Levy is now a national news story causing significant embarrassment and exposing the city to unwarranted risk", Councilman Bruce Ward filed suit in Superior Court asking for a declaratory judgment that the Office of Mayor of Atlantic City was vacant.

Resignation and aftermath On October 9, a Superior Court Judge indicated she would rule on whether the mayor's seat was vacant or not by October 12, and administration officials released a letter from Levy's lawyer to the Business Administrator dated September 28 explaining that Levy had checked into the Carrier Clinic and was about to leave and spend time recovering at home. The July 25, 2008, ruling also required Levy to continue his court-ordered psychiatric treatment. The judge noted that Levy seems to be continuing to embellish his military record, by claiming he helped out the Pathfinders, which does not appear on his record.