Albert Baldeo
From The West Indian Encyclopedia
Albert Baldeo, the Democratic nominee for the 15th State senate district in 2006, almost unseated the Republican incumbent Serphin Maltese, who was also the Republican County chairman.
In 2006, Albert secured 17,046 votes on the democratic line, against Maltese’s 14,235 Republican votes, but Maltese got another 1,621 and 2,084 votes respectively from the Independent and Conservative party lines, which made him “squeak past Baldeo” by 1% of the votes cast. Baldeo’s strong, independent showing has inspired many others to seek political leadership positions based on the right goals-to make government serve constituents better. If the Working Families Party or the Queens Democratic County organization had endorsed Albert, Democrats would have secured this seat. They were so focused on the statewide races and they built up these huge margins, they squandered this huge opportunity for a Democrat to unseat a dinosaur, said Doug Muzzio, a political science professor at Brooklyn College.
Albert, a former magistrate and prosecutor, is also an arbitrator, mediator, lecturer, columnist, community leader and advocate for his district. He was also appointed a Special Prosecutor and tried homicides, violent crimes and fraud indictments, before serving as a magistrate. He dedicates his law practice in Queens to serve the public, senior citizens and small businesses in housing, real estate, public benefits, corporate immigration law. He makes many proposals to implement changes in the law to better serve our citizens. Albert is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the Queens Bar Association, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He has been practicing law for over 25 years, and is well known for his expertise in public benefits and immigration law, and even judicial temperament. Many of his cases have created legal precedents in the Caribbean, the Commonwealth and in the USA.
Over the years, Albert has been involved in the district in many different ways. Albert is the Founder President of the Richmond Hill/Ozone Park Democratic Club, the Baldeo Community Outreach, Citizenship Voter Registration Assistance Center, Richmond Hill, Chairman of the Community Empowerment Congress, Ozone Park, President of the Community Environmental and Crime Prevention Watch, The Coalition against Hate Crimes and the Alliance against Air Pollution. He dispenses free legal consultations, engages in pro bono cases, and sponsors and conducts free educational seminars to the public. He is a regular contributor and columnist in various media, relentlessly advocating for reforms.
Albert is also involved with many organizations, including the Queens County Progressive Democratic club, Kiwanis, Rotary Club, South East Queens Concerned Neighbors, Inc., Richmond Hill South Civic Associations, South Ozone Park Civic Associations West, Guy Brewer, Blackburne, New Concept, Queens Community and South Queens Democratic Clubs, Working Families Party, the Alliance for Change in Rochdale Co-op, the Tenants Association and National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Along with his brother, Dr. Philip Baldeo, they provided food, clothing, medical supplies and cash to the Guyana Flood, Tsunami, Katrina and Pakistan victims and the poor and needy in our community. He opened the Community Assistance Center Voter Registration Drive in his community. He secures compensation for crime victims and formed an organization to combat hate crimes. He is also an education, immigration, housing health care reform advocate.
Albert has been honored by Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Leader at the National Campaign for Tolerance for taking a personal, public stand against hate, injustice, and intolerance in September, 2004, after receiving the Global Heritage Achievement Award in July, 2002. For his pro bono work, he has been honored by the Legal Services of Greater Miami Inc. on September 20th, 1993, and by President Cheddi Jagan of Guyana in 1992.
Some of the awards and citations earned by Albert include: Congressional Awards and Recognition from Congressman Gregory Meeks, Congressman Anthony Weiner and Congressman Joseph Crowley, City Council Citations for Outstanding Political Activism and tireless dedication to community service from Council members David Weprin and Hiram Monserrate, the Certificate of Merit from Senator Padavan-who crossed party lines to endorse him- for his exemplary and distinguished record of service to his community, the Nassau County Citation for his selfless Commitment to His Fellowman that warrants attention and gratitude, Hillary Clinton’s campaign for his generous contributions and support, the Polish American Congress for his leadership achievements, the New Americans Democratic Organization of NY for his civic, social and business leadership, the Community Leadership Award which was presented to him by the Hon. Eliot Spitzer on behalf of SAAPAC, and the Political Activist Award from the Queens County Progressive Democratic Club.