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Elizabeth Alesse
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Posts by Elizabeth Alesse
Dinallo: AG Candidates Should Keep Quiet on Espada
Apr 22nd - 1:17 pm
AG hopeful Eric DiNallo slamming his Democratic primary opponents for weighing in on the Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. scandal, saying it’s inappropriate for anyone seeking to succeed the current AG, Andrew Cuomo, to comment on a case he or she might end up inheriting.
Would-be AGs Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice and Sen. Eric Schneiderman both released statements yesterday saying Espada should voluntarily relinquish his post as majority leader in the wake of the civil charges slapped on him by Cuomo.
Dinallo also announced a six-point agenda for investigating public corruption, which includes stringent new disclosure requirements for charities (like, say, the Bronx-based Soundview, which Cuomo says Espada looted of more than $14 million), using the Tweed Law to investigate the misuse of public funds, and pursuing election law violations under the existing Executive Law.
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‘Shame On You, Bill Perkins’
Apr 22nd - 9:50 am
As Sen. Bill Perkins prepares to hold a hearing to, as he puts it, “look at the books of companies affiliated with charter schools” today, the pro-charter organization Education Reform Now has launched a new ad that features parents scolding the Harlem Democrat.
The ad has been added to the mix of spots already in rotation in the downstate market, and will be a “significant part” of the buy, according to a spokesman for the group.
Perkins is under fire from charter school advocates, who are shopping for a potential primary opponent to take him on this fall. They might be assisted by allies of Gov. David Paterson and Rep. Charlie Rangel, who aren’t pleased with the outspoken senator’s willingness to speak his mind about these embattled fellow Dems.
The senator, who holds Paterson’s old seat, has been widely speculated to be eyeing a potential primary challenge to Rangel, but he is so far keeping his powder dry. Perkins formally announced his re-election campaign last weekend.
charter school ad from Elizabeth Benjamin on Vimeo.
Baby News!
Apr 21st - 4:48 pm
We’re excited to introduce you to the newest addition to the Time Warner Cable family… Soraya Robin!
NY1′s Josh Robin and his wife, Manoush, welcomed the beautiful baby girl in the the world yesterday. We’re told Soraya (pronouced Sor-RAI-ah) and mom are doing very well. She weighs in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Congratulations to Josh and family!
Soraya and her Daddy... who says she cooing, not crying.
Big brother Kai meets baby sister Soraya
Paterson And The Press
Apr 20th - 3:54 pm
Governor Paterson took questions from the press today following an early Earth Day event in Albany (Earth Day is actually on Thursday).
He was asked about a wide variety of issues, including drilling the Marcellus Shale, where budget talks stand, property tax relief and the allegations against Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr.
Paterson punted on the Espada question, deferring to AG Andrew Cuomo and insisting he didn’t know anything about the investigation.
The DN’s Glenn Blain asked about a meeting the Governor had with his attorneys yesterday and whether he has been interviewed by the State Inspector General or Judith Kaye.
The IG is looking into the rescinded deal to grant Aqueduct Entertainment Group the rights to run VLTs at Aqueduct Race Course. Former Chief Judge Kaye is investigating whether the Governor inappropriately accepted free Yankees tickets and interfered in a domestic violence incident involving his former aide, David Johnson.
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Paladino Presses On
Apr 19th - 1:06 pm
One week to the day after raunchy, racist emails forwarded from Carl Paladino’s account surfaced, the Republican candidate for Governor is pressing forward with his campaign.
Today, Paladino’s campaign blasted out an email linking to a YouTube clip of the candidate insisting he isn’t a racist – and if you don’t believe him, go ask his friends, family and neighbors.
Paladino blames “career politicians” and the “liberal media” for launching a smear campaign against him, and promises to cut taxes, cut spending and create jobs if elected governor.
Fate of NYCOTB Hangs in the Balance
Apr 14th - 4:46 pm
Governor Paterson is bemoaning the legislature’s failure to act on a bill that would have kept New York City’s cash-strapped Off-Track Betting Corporation up and running, leaving 1,300 employees vulnerable to layoffs. The Governor’s full statement appears after the jump.
The OTB board voted on Friday to suspend layoff notices, giving the Governor and the legislature an additional week to agree on a plan to salvage the state agency. But lawmakers are already on their way home after a three day session week and aren’t scheduled to return to the Capitol until Monday – one day after the deadline for the NYCOTB shut down. The only apparent saving grace is if state officials manage to reach a deal before Monday. If that’s the case, lawmakers could be called back to the Capitol early.
The bailout plan presented by Governor Paterson today would have kept OTB from having to make regular dark day payments to tracks, created new revenue sources and established an early retirement provision for employees. There are concerns that without revenues from the NYCOTB, the New York Racing Association could become financially crippled putting the summer racing season at risk.
Threat Called into Paladino’s Office Building (Updated)
Apr 13th - 2:17 pm
Buffalo police say a threat was called into the Ellicott Square building, which is owned by embattled millionaire candidate for Governor Carl Paladino. The caller identified himself as a member of a black militant group, saying there was a bomb in the building. The complex was evacuated and bomb-sniffing dogs searched the building, coming up empty. Employees have been allowed back in. We’re told Paladino was in the building when the treat was called in and has not returned.
Cop Car Outside Paladino Office Building in Buffalo
Paladino is embroiled in an embarrassing e-mail scandal. Yesterday, the website WNY Media released several graphic emails forwarded from the Republican candidate’s account containing sexually explicit and racist emails. Paladino responded yesterday by apologizing to any women he offended and asking other men who have viewed graphic emails for their vote.
UPDATE: We just received this comment from Paladino spokesman Michael Caputo:
At 12:35pm today an unidentified male called the Paladino campaign headquarters. In a 50 second conversation with our receptionist the man identified himself as a representative of a “black militant group” and said his group would “bomb all of you.” After our receptionist asked for the name of his group, he terminated the telephone call.
Our security team advised an immediate evacuation of the entire building. Campaign security moved Carl Paladino to a safe offsite location. After forty minutes, emergency responders cleared the building and tenants returned to their offices. Carl remains in an undisclosed location.
The campaign does not have incoming caller identification. The Buffalo Police Department is investigating the matter.
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