The governor has another mess on his hands.
As the Assembly ended its session – and as the Senate remains in a state of chaos – embattled Assemblymember Anthony Seminerio tendered his letter of resignation effective Tuesday, June 23.
Now it is up to Governor David A. Paterson to determine whether a Special Election will be called for the seat.
Seminerio, 74, who served for more than three decades, was indicted in September of last year after an investigation found that he allegedly made up a fake consulting company and used it to bilk more than $500,000 in bribes in exchange for actions he took as a New York State legislator.
The charges – one count of honest services mail fraud, which may result in up to 20 years in prison – revealed that from April of 2000 through September of 2008, Seminerio, set up a consulting firm, Marc Consulting, and received payments in return for actions he took as a legislator that would benefit those companies. Seminerio then would allegedly deposit the money from Marc Consultants into his own personal bank account. A local hospital was allegedly caught up in the scandal, according to inside sources.
Reports claim Seminerio may plead guilty as early as Wednesday, June 24.
“There’s nothing I can say to you [at this time],” said his son, John Seminerio, when reached by cell phone after the indictment. “We’ll see what happens.”
Seminerio handed his terse resignation to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. It reads, “Please accept this as my letter of resignation for my Assembly seat, 38th District. . . It has been my honor and a distinct privilege to have served in the Legislature for the last 30 years.”
Staffers at his offices declined comment.
Under New York State Statute, elected officials convicted of or having pleaded guilty to a felony have vacated their position.
“I’ve worked with him for many years,” said Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer. “I found him very responsive to his constituents.”
Pheffer told The Courier that it was business as usual for Seminerio before he resigned.
“I thank him for his years of service to the community,” said Albert Baldeo, community advocate. “I am grateful for the public service he rendered to his constituents and extend my heartfelt sympathy to him and his family for what they’ve been through.”
