By Nathan Duke
State Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza (D-Bayside) said she plans to run for re-election despite a low attendance record in Albany this year and word from Democratic party insiders that she does not plan another bid to retain her seat.
The Queens County Republican Party had recently called for Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and the state Ethics Board to investigate whether Carrozza had misled her constituents by living out of her district from March through June in a $1.8 million Glen Head property known as “The Crossways” she and her husband, William Duke, had purchased in June 2008. The assemblywoman said she had moved back to the district earlier this month.
The GOP had also criticized Carrozza for her attendance record in Albany.
A spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) said Carrozza had been present for 25 legislative days this year and had excused absences on 44 days. In 2008, she was present for 36 sessions and excused for 25 sessions, according to Assembly records.
A source familiar with the Queens Democratic Party said Carrozza’s residence in Long Island had been widely known during a meeting last spring at Flushing’s Jefferson Democratic Club.
“It was common knowledge at that point,” the source said. “She could have changed her mind and decided to run again for her seat. But that night the discussion was that the seat would be available.”
In a statement issued Tuesday, Carrozza said she plans to run again for her seat.
“I have every intention of running for re-election and look forward to continuing to deliver results for our community,” she said. “I’m not the kind of person who takes this job lightly. Unfortunately, over the past year a difficult personal circumstance involving the care of a loved one prevented me from being in Albany for several session days, but I have worked hard to continue to fight for my constituents and expect to be able to have excellent attendance again next year.”
The assemblywoman had said state laws did not prohibit her from temporarily living out of her district.
Carrozza said the Long Island home was her husband’s primary residence, but that she had moved back to Bayside several weeks ago.
In June, she said she and her husband had lived in Glen Head as they planned to adopt a child. But the Queens property in which she previously lived would not provide enough space for three children and she had already promised to rent the home to an Oregon couple for part of the year.
Carrozza had originally said she would move back into the other Bayside home she owns Aug. 1 because it had been rented out through July.
Now, a Bayside family of five believes they have been ordered to move out of the apartment they rent from Carrozza and her husband as a result of the assemblywoman moving back to the district.
Vincent Nicolosi Jr. said he, his wife and their three children rent an apartment from Carrozza at 202nd Street and 35th Avenue in Bayside. In late June, the couple received a 30-day notice to vacate the apartment.
“They never gave us a heads-up,” said Nicolosi, who is son of former state Assemblyman Vincent Nicolosi. “I’m not going to be homeless with three kids.”
Nicolosi said he and his wife have been looking for another apartment, but both of them work full-time.
“Right after [Carrozza] said she was moving back to the district, we were served with a 30-day notice,” Nicolosi said. “So, put two and two together. She should have given us advance notice.”
But a spokesman for Carrozza said the assemblywoman was not planning to move into the couple’s apartment.
“Her husband does own properties and rents them out,” the spokesman said. “But that’s completely separate.”
City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) said the Nicolosi family contacted him after receiving the notice.
“Nobody should be given just 30 days’ notice,” he said.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
