line of the nascent Taxpayers Party of New York when Malpass stepped aside. Prior to the election, DioGuardi was linked to a Ponzi scheme by the SEC. From 2007 to 2009, the former Westchester Republican congressman was paid a month as a consultant for the subsidiary Medical Capital Corp. – and also got a year to sit on boards of various other MCH subsidiaries. DioGuardi said he was oblivious to any wrongdoing. "As a consultant, Joe was tasked with saving hospitals in New York from being shut down, but knew nothing of the schemes that were occurring behind the scenes," said his spokesman Brian Hummell, adding that his boss "has never seen the books." DioGuardi lost the general election to Gillibrand, 63.0% to 35.1%. Personal life DioGuardi lives in Ossining, New York, with his wife, Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi. His first wife, Carol, died in 1997 of ovarian cancer. His son John is a counselor at the Phoenix House, a national non-profit drug treatment organization on whose board Joseph has served since 1972. His daughter Kara DioGuardi is a songwriter and artist who has appeared as a judge on the American Idol show, and has also been involved in Phoenix House. References Books External links People for DioGuardi – official campaign website USA Former Members of Congress profile Joseph Dioguardi DioGuardi family website. Kosova's Last Chance DioGuardi and Cloyes get Kosovo Bill HR 36 introduced early in the 110th Congress New York's Kosovo Kingpin A Congressional Race Turns Into a Grudge Match Lowey Victory: Anatomy Of an Upset Kelly Defeats DioGuardi In Republican Primary 1940 births American people of Arbëreshë descent American people of Italian descent Living people Knights of Malta Fordham Preparatory School alumni Fordham University alumni Politicians from the Bronx Politicians from New Rochelle, New York Politicians from Westchester County, New York Conservative Party of New York State politicians Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state)