By Jeremy Walsh
Some 11 residents from the apartment complex demonstrated in front of Sabini's Jackson Heights office Tuesday afternoon. Al Blake, a former president of the Lefrak City Tenants Organization and supervisor of youth activities in the area, called Sabini a “threat to society” and urged the senator to resign.On Feb. 5, Sabini admitted to driving while ability impaired, a traffic violation. He released a statement later that day in which he accepted “full personal responsibility for the events that led to my arrest in Albany.””I take the matter against me very seriously and am extremely grateful to have this settled,” he said. “I would like to offer a sincere apology to my constituents, the Albany Court, and the many loyal friends, colleagues and family members for any burdens this may have caused.”Sabini paid a $300 fine for the violation and was ordered to attend educational classes.Blake called the penalty a slap on the wrist.”He believes he's above the law,” Blake said.Also at the protest was Flushing resident Tom Cooke, 37, a quadriplegic who was paralyzed by a drunk driver 18 years ago. Cooke said Sabini showed “very little contrition” and demanded that Sabini resign.”I cannot sit by and watch him treat this incident as a speed bump in his political career,” Cooke said.Sabini's office accused Blake of political opportunism.”Every time there is an election, it's the same show,” said Fernando Aquino, a spokesman for Sabini. Aquino said Blake organized a protest in 2006 accusing the senator of not having any African Americans on his staff.”This group is politically motivated,” Aquino said. “It is shameful that they use a tragedy like (Cooke's) for political reasons.”Sabini was arrested around 1 a.m. on Sept. 27, 2007 after police spotted him making a turn without signaling and driving down the middle of a two-way street. When stopped, he reportedly refused to take a Breathalyzer test.He was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.A spokeswoman for Sabini said he had no comment on the results of his blood alcohol test. Sabini pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor DWI in October 2007. At that time, Jim Long, Sabini's attorney, declined to comment on whether the senator had been drinking the night of his arrest. He said he had told Sabini years ago that he advised his clients not to take the test because it was unreliable.Sabini faces re-election later this year, likely against City Councilman Hiram Monserrate (D-East Elmhurst), whom he narrowly defeated in the 2006 state Senate race. Blake said he is not affiliated with Monserrate.Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
