SCHENECTADY COUNTY, NY (Spectrum News 1) — Doorbell video released Wednesday appears to show the Republican candidate for New York’s 111th Assembly District stealing his opponent’s election mailer from a homeowner’s porch.
The video was taken off a doorbell camera, and provided by the law office of Frank Salamone, the Schenectady County Democratic Committee chair.
Joe Mastroianni, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, a Democrat.
Salamone, who also sent the footage to State Police and the state Board of Elections, is calling for Mastroianni to end his campaign over the alleged incident.
The local police department is also investigating the incident after a formal complaint was filed Wednesday morning.
Mastroianni responded Wednesday evening by reading a statement, saying, “I recognize that my opponent wishes to make this issue central to this year’s campaign. However, for obvious reasons I will not comment on the specific story.
“It’s important to recognize these distractions for what they are: diversions from the urgent issues affecting the People of the 111th Assembly District,” Mastroianni said.
Attorney Matt Winchell of the Tully & Rinckey law firm, who is not involved in the case, said the alleged theft could be a federal offense.
“Doesn’t really matter what the mail is, could be junk mail,” Winchell said. “In this case, it could be a political campaign mail, could be a bill. You know, if charges are brought, the person can face some pretty hefty fines as well as, you know, possibility of jail time.”
