Republican N.Y. pol indicted for election law violation, compromising GOP hold on state Senate

[Madmallard]

Republican state Senator from western New York was indicted Wednesday for violating state election law, jeopardizing the GOP’s hold on the Senate.

Sen. Robert Ortt’s office confirmed that an Albany grand jury had indicted the Niagara County Republican on a felony charge of offering a false instrument for filing. He is to be arraigned in Albany City Court Thursday morning.

Ortt, in a statement, called the charge “baseless” and vowed to fight it.

"We look forward to telling voters the truth about (Attorney General) Eric Schneiderman and exposing him for the power hungry, political opportunist he is and I will fight this ridiculous charge,” Ortt said in a statement.

Ortt’s indictment came hours after he voluntarily appeared before the grand jury empaneled by Schneiderman to investigate the finances of the Niagara County GOP and former Sen. George Maziarz, who was also indicted. The Buffalo News first reported the indictments.

A spokesman for Schneiderman declined to comment.

A source close to Ortt said the indictment involves the disclosure of money that his wife earned while working for two vendors that were contracted by the Niagara GOP.

GOP hold on state Senate imperiled as grand jury indicts N.Y. pol

 

[Podmonkey]

Another liberal black op I'm sure. But what does the GOP do for NY anyway? Regardless of how things are labeled NY is a single party state.

 

[VietnamEraVet]

The NY Senate GOP does almost nothing for us as it stands.

That said, I'm guessing that when he gets convicted, that the GOP'ers will once again lose control of the Senste, and that will be followed closely by NY(UN)SAFE II, and whatever else Princess Qhomo and the Dems feel like ramming down our throats.

I can hear them now: ...we must do it for..., and, ...even if it only saves just one...

Ugh.

 

[Criticalt]

Another liberal black op I'm sure. But what does the GOP do for NY anyway? Regardless of how things are labeled NY is a single party state.

Exactly what I thought........who cares.

 

[Grimscale]

"A source close to Ortt said the indictment involves the disclosure of money that his wife earned while working for two vendors that were contracted by the Niagara GOP."
So wait...CA Legislators can funnel money to themselves via their husband's job of selling off surplus Post Office properties, and Cuomo can funnel money to his rich friends via 'renewable energy' grants, but Ortt is the one to get indicted?

"Ortt’s indictment imperils the GOP’s tenuous hold on the Senate. Republicans hold only 31 of the Senate’s 63 seats but maintain control through an alliance with Brooklyn Democratic Sen. Simcha Felder. The eight-member Independent Democratic Conference has also allied itself with the GOP."
Nothing is imperiled, IMHO. Quite frankly, with all of the other corruption going on in Albany, I'm not concerned about this at all. Ortt has been a staunch supporter of our Rights here in New York, and I'd rather he stay where he is until ALL of the corruption in Albany is removed.