Democratic Nassau Legis. David Mejias, in a letter dated Oct. 21 from his law office, complains to Democratic District Attorney Kathleen Rice and to the county ethics board that Republicans had a county employee photograph him and other Democrats specifically to place the images in attack mailings.
The complaint is directed at Minority Leader Peter Schmitt's deployment of county photographer Michael Tamborino on Sept. 24 when the Legislature was in session. "On Oct. 10, 2007," he states, "the pictures taken during that legislative session were used in partisan political literature/propaganda," Mejias says.
One ad displays a photo of a nut and bolt, with the proclamation "this is a machine product." It is juxtaposed with a photo of the gesturing Mejias and the punchline: "So is this." Another piece uses the same purportedly county-provided photo and accuses Mejias of "playing politics and costing property taxpayers a fortune." Both were included as exhibits in Mejias' complaints.
Mejias, a recent resident of Farmingdale, faces Republican challenger Joseph Belesi at the polls tomorrow in a widely-watched race. There was no immediate response from Schmitt's office.
Dan Janison
"Peter J. Schmitt may believe that his use of Michael Tamborino, a county employee, during working hours (and using a county-woned camera and film) for the advancement of his partisan political beliefs is appropriate and proper," Mejias wrote. "Clearly, it is not." He cites a section of local law barring use of county resources in furtherance of professional or political interests.
To the board, Mejias requests public censure for Schmitt, a forfeit of pay and a fine.
Comments (3)
Dan, thats great, are you ever going to comment on North Hempstead and there corruption in the building department.
Will you wonder if it will have any impact in the race?
I seem to remeber a post a few months ago asking that same question of another town?
Why no mention? Oh thats right, it's run by the democrats.
Just throwing it out there for discussion.
I know that the Dems use their official county photos in their political mailings. How do I know? I picked up a packet of photos at the legislature and delivered them to Dem headquarters. Anyone care to know more? Mejias is a hypocrite. He is running his campaign from the BOE, OTB and his legislative office. He's complaining about a picture. What a loser.
Mejias is a hypocrite. After his disgusting mailings against Pete King, the sleazy Mejias has no right to complain. Shut up Dave!!!! I hope you lose. I still want a Dem majority, but I hope you lose and never again sully the political scene again.