AG’s Office Claims Money Used to Pay Personal Debt
by Doug La Rocque
New York State Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday, December 1, announced the arrest and indictment of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin on charges on Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for filing in the First Degree, both felonies. According to the press release from the Attorney General’s Office it is alleged that in November 2017, after having won the election to the County Executive’s post but while still serving as a member of the New York State Assembly, a personal dispute erupted between McLaughlin and a staffer over a $3,500 personal debt owed to the staffer, as well as his possession of the staffer’s laptop computer and iPad. In response to the staffer’s payment demand, McLaughlin directed a $5,000 check to be drawn from the “Steve McLaughlin for County Executive” campaign fund, payable to Hudson Valley Strategies, a political consulting firm used by McLaughlin. On November 21, 2017, the $5,000 check was deposited into the consulting firm’s bank account. Later that day, a Hudson Valley Strategies principal drafted a $3,500 bank check from the account and delivered it, the laptop and the iPad to the staffer. In that release, Attorney General James is quoted as saying “elected officials are entrusted to protect and serve, but Mr. McLaughlin allegedly violated that trust by using his campaign funds as a personal piggybank. New Yorkers should have every confidence that the money they donate to their preferred candidates will fund that candidate’s campaign, not personal debts or expenses. My office will continue to root out corruption at every level of government and go after those who abuse public trust for private benefit.”
Mr. McLaughlin was arraigned before Judge Jennifer Sober and released on his own recognizance. Judge Sober ordered the defense to file motions by January 17.
It’s Nothing More Than Politics as Usual
Not everyone agrees with Ms. James. For example, Rensselaer County Legislator Bruce Patire of Eagle Bridge believes the Attorney General’s actions are twofold. First to try to keep her name out in public as a fighter of government corruption while seeking the Democratic Party nomination for Governor. Second, to soil Steve McLaughlin and his political career.
He Should Resign
Rensselaer County Legislative Minority Leader Peter Grimm and Deputy Minority Leader Cindy Doran were quick to react to the County Executive’s arrest. Their office issued the following statement:
“For far too long, Rensselaer County residents have endured elections and county governance rife with complaints and allegations of voter fraud, abuse and most recently voter suppression. Today’s criminal charges, arrest and arraignment of County Executive Steve McLaughlin for Grand Larceny and Offering a False Instrument for Filing by the New York State Attorney General must be taken seriously. As elected Rensselaer County Legislators, we know maintaining the public’s trust is key to the ability to govern, and elected officials must always be held to a higher standard in our democracy.
The charges of money laundering of campaign finances for personal use clearly indicate that Steve McLaughlin has violated the public’s trust and confidence in his ability to execute the responsibilities of the office he has been elected to serve. County Executive Steve McLaughlin should do the right thing and resign from his elected position immediately.”
So What Happens Next?
If convicted of the felony charges, Mr. McLaughlin would, under NYS Public Officers Law, be removed from office. He could also face a maximum sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison. Under section 3.02 of the Rensselaer County Charter, if removed from office, the Deputy County Executive Stacy Farrar would assume the role of County Executive until the end of the year (most likely 2022). In the meantime, a special election to fill the remainder of the term would be held in November, with the winner assuming office on the following January 1. If Ms. Farrar were to decline the position, the post would be filled by the County Legislature.
None of this has happened yet and may not happen at all. It is important to remember the charges leveled against County Executive McLaughlin are at this point simply accusations, and that he remains innocent unless found guilty at trial or by plea.
The Eastwick Press has reached out the Mr. McLaughlin’s attorney, Benjamin Hill for comment, but as of press time we have not heard back from him. Mr. McLaughlin had no comment at his arraignment.