As Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello renewed her request for an evaluation of Joe Mesi’s campaign finances, Mesi’s camp struck back with a charge of their own.
Their concern over the integrity of Tuesday’s elections stems from Iannello’s husband, Erie County Board of Elections Commissioner Dennis Ward, also the brother of third candidate Dan Ward not responding to Mesi’s request that Commissioner Ward recuse himself from oversight of Tuesday’s elections.
In a letter sent Wednesday, Mesi’s campaign asked Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark’s office to investigate.
“While Mr. Ward may intend to run his office as objectively as possible, we cannot fathom how he will remain objective when both his spouse and his brother are running in a three-way primary,” the letter reads. “We request that you investigate and call for the recusal of Mr. Ward.”
Mesi’s Campaign Manager Nicki Weiner called the arrangement the opposite of good government, citing an $8,000 campaign contribution to Iannello and the use of volunteers from board of elections staff during their off-hours as evidence of a conflict of interest.
Wednesday morning Margaret Murphy, a local attorney who has contributed $6,000 to the Iannello campaign, stood alongside Iannello at a press conference and laid out what she charges are campaign finance violations of the Mesi campaign. Although Responsible New York, a campaign committee organized by Steve Pigeon and funded by millionaire Tom Golisano, has not contributed directly to the Mesi campaign, Murphy said the group has sent out at least three direct mail pieces and has been running TV advertisements for the past five days in support of Mesi’s candidacy. All combined, Murphy said that spending is well in excess of the legal contribution limits and likely has surpassed $100,000.
Iannello is requesting a full investigation by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo into the alleged violations.
Contact reporter Daniel Pye at 693-1000, ext. 158.
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