James J. Craven Jr.

James J. Craven Jr. (March 24, 1919 – June 6, 1991) was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 12th Suffolk District (includes parts of Roxbury, Jamaica Plain and Roslindale) starting in 1957.

Two major reasons he lost the election was the conflict of interest finding discussed below but also a December 1983 House reprimand for violating the legislature's code of ethics.

After he lost the election, he had been named to a $55,000 staff job with the House Rules Committee by former speaker Thomas W. McGee.

[3] He is also known for playing a lead role in the Doyle-Flynn Bill, passed in 1978, which prohibited using Medicaid funds being used for abortions, until it was overturned in 1981.

Craven’s legal issues while a state representative arise from his being a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.