Former Councilmember Anthony Como will become the new executive vice chair of the Queens GOP, replacing indicted attorney Vince Tabone.
GOP chair Phil Ragusa confirmed Como would be taking over, saying the former city legislator would be a good fit.
“I know Anthony for a long time,” Ragusa said. “He was our City Council candidate we ran against Liz Crowley. I had extensive conversations with him.”
Ragusa said the agreement to install Como was mutual. His experience as an elected official would make him a good fit for the party, he said.
“I think he’s going to do a fine job,” Ragusa said. “He knows the political process like I know the political process.”
Tabone was arrested on April 2 in connection with charges that he took bribe money to help get State Senator Malcolm Smith, a Democrat, on the mayoral ticket as a Republican.
GOP Councilmember Dan Halloran is also accused of accepting $20,000 in bribes to sway party chairs to sign off on Smith’s Republican run.
Como served in the City Council for about six months, replacing disgraced Councilmember Dennis Gallagher in June 2008. He lost the general election to now-Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley for District 30 in December of that year.
He previously served as commissioner of the Queens Board of Elections, and then president of the New York City Board of Elections. He also worked as an assistant district attorney and was chief counsel to former State Senator Serphin Maltese.
In 2010, he made an unsuccessful bid at unseating incumbent State Senator Joseph Addaboo in District 15.
“I look forward to working with Chairman Ragusa to strengthen the organization to ensure that NYC has representation on both sides of the aisle,” Como said in a statement. “I will be contacting our district leaders, party members, and loyal Republicans to let them know that we are energized, motivated and moving in a direction in which we can all be proud.”
When asked if Ragusa believes Como and his years of government experience would breathe new life into the party, the chair said the GOP was still strong and functioning.
“We’re all here,” Ragusa said. “We’re working hard. Queens County is going to survive.”
Ragusa said he has not spoken to Tabone, who was arraigned in federal court yesterday.
The Queens GOP also appointed: Robert Beltrani, first vice chair; Anthony Carollo, vice chair; Deborah Heinichen, vice chair; Samiha Makawi, recording secretary; James McClelland and Pierre Alcantara, members at large
