Editing Bill Simon (politician) (section)

==Background==
Simon was born on June 20, 1951, in [[Neptune Township, New Jersey|Neptune, New Jersey]], the son of Carol (Girard) and [[William E. Simon|William E. Simon Sr.]], the 63rd Secretary of the Treasury under [[Richard Nixon]] and [[Gerald Ford]].<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/bill-simon-republican|title = Bill Simon (Republican)|website = [[Fox News]]|date = October 31, 2002|accessdate = April 9, 2025}}</ref> Simon Sr., also served as director of the Federal Energy Office.<ref name="Move"/> Simon grew up in [[Florham Park, New Jersey]].<ref name = Ferrell>{{cite news|url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/190031558/|title = Simon Forged His Future In Dad's Formidable Path|last = Ferrell|first = David|date = October 15, 2002|page = A1, A18|newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]]|url-access = subscription|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = April 9, 2025}}</ref> He was a childhood friend of former [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic party]] chair [[Howard Dean]].

Simon earned a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] from [[Williams College]] in 1973, and a [[Juris Doctor|JD]] from [[Boston College Law School|Boston College]] in 1982. At [[Boston College Law School]], "Billy" Simon was widely popular and respected. He was a Moot Court Champion and represented the school in national moot court competitions. From 1985 to 1988, Simon served as Assistant United States Attorney in the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of New York|Southern District of New York]], working under then-U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jan-18-me-simon18-story.html|title = Giuliani Lends His Star to Friend Simon|last = Riccardi|first = Nicholas|date = January 18, 2002|accessdate = April 9, 2025|newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]]|url-access = limited}}</ref><ref name = Weinstein>{{cite news|url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/190039089/|title = Simon Wasn't Gangbusters As Prosecutor|last = Weinstein|first = Henry|date = October 17, 2002|page = A1, A26–27|newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]]|url-access = subscription|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = April 9, 2025}}</ref> In this role, he worked primarily in the [[civil law (common law)|civil]] division, though he also worked on [[criminal law|criminal]] cases.<ref name = Weinstein/> His 2002 campaign credited him with a key role in the [[Mafia Commission Trial]] which coincided with his tenure there, though the claims were later walked back after a ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' investigation cast doubt on his level of involvement.<ref name = Weinstein/>

In 1988, Simon co-founded William E. Simon & Sons, a global [[merchant bank]], with his father and brother.<ref name="Move">{{Cite web |url=http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0501davis.htm |title=Move over Gray Davis... |access-date=February 10, 2008 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928055434/http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0501davis.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Simon managed the family business (which has over $3&nbsp;billion in assets), as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and as a trustee for [[The Heritage Foundation]].<ref name="Move"/> Simon also chairs the William E. Simon Foundation.<ref name="Move"/> He moved to Los Angeles in 1990 to lead the bank's office there.<ref name = Pascoe>{{cite news|url = https://palisadesnews.com/uclas-bill-simon-a-palisades-resident-gives-the-last-lecture/|title = UCLA’s Bill Simon, a Palisades Resident, Gives the ‘Last Lecture’|last = Pascoe|first = Sue|date = June 10, 2018|accessdate = April 9, 2025|work = Palisades News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.newspapers.com/image/190057559/|title = Simon's Charity Reflects His Deep Religious Beliefs|last = Martín|first = Hugo|date = October 19, 2002|newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]]|page = A24|url-access = subscription|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = April 9, 2025}}</ref> Simon contributed some of his personal resources to assist less fortunate youths through educational scholarships and beautification of California schools, and, like his father, became an active supporter of [[Covenant House]].<ref name="Move"/>