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Friday, July 18, 2014
5:09 PM
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BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
She may have a new opponent now in the Republican primary for the 62nd State Senate District, but Gia Arnold continues to fight against longtime incumbent George Maziarz.
This morning, the Holley woman issued a press release demanding that Maziarz' campaign funds be frozen until an ongoing federal investigation is concluded.
State records show that Maziarz' campaign committee has nearly $1.1 million in it, which the senator could use in a variety of ways, even after leaving office, allowing him to remain very influential in local and state politics through use of the funds.
Canisius Political Science Associate Professor — and Erie County Legislator — Kevin Hardwick said by phone this afternoon, "Someone like that with a lot of money at their disposal is a popular person. And they'll remain a popular person."
Arnold said that's exactly why she'd like to make sure the money is spent legally, referring to the "heavy hand" Maziarz has on the local political scene.
Hardwick said he'd expect Maziarz to distribute the money slowly. "They let the money out a little bit at a time. They give it to candidates. They give it to causes, but they tend to give it out slowly becuase once it's gone, it's gone. ... You'd be surprised just how quickly you can go through a million dollars."
"My guess is he'll spread some of it around. He may give some of it to other candidates. He may give some to the Republican campaign committee. Senate Republicans. He can do with it what he wants as long as he doesn't use it for his own well being. ... He can't buy a house with it. Or a vacation."
Another option would be to simply hold on to the money. The 62-year-old could use it again in the future to jump back into politics.
A federal investigation into Maziarz' campaign spending has resulted in subpoenas being issued to at least two of the senator's former staffers, Marcus Hall and Alisa Colatarci, his former chief of staff. Hall and Calatarci both resigned their positions on July 9.
Maziarz announced on Sunday that he would not be seeking re-election to the state Senate. North Tonawanda Mayor Robert Ortt will run on Maziarz' GOP petition in the September primary against Arnold.
Maziarz could not be reached for comment.
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scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
She may have a new opponent now in the Republican primary for the 62nd State Senate District, but Gia Arnold continues to fight against longtime incumbent George Maziarz.
This morning, the Holley woman issued a press release demanding that Maziarz' campaign funds be frozen until an ongoing federal investigation is concluded.
In light of reports today that the campaign account of Senator Maziarz wrote over $136,000 in checks made out to cash including approximately $60,000 of which were never reported, I am calling on the US Attorney General's Office to immediately freeze the senator’s campaign account to prevent any more of these questionable actions. In addition, sources in the investigation indicated that large amounts of money were going to elected officials and their staff.
Until a full and comprehensive investigation and reporting of these disturbing expenditures, Maziarz’s campaign account should be frozen and any activity or expenditures should have to be approved by the US Attorney’s Office. We must hold accountable our elected representatives to stop the cycle of corruption that New York is known for.
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George Maziarz |
Canisius Political Science Associate Professor — and Erie County Legislator — Kevin Hardwick said by phone this afternoon, "Someone like that with a lot of money at their disposal is a popular person. And they'll remain a popular person."
Arnold said that's exactly why she'd like to make sure the money is spent legally, referring to the "heavy hand" Maziarz has on the local political scene.
Hardwick said he'd expect Maziarz to distribute the money slowly. "They let the money out a little bit at a time. They give it to candidates. They give it to causes, but they tend to give it out slowly becuase once it's gone, it's gone. ... You'd be surprised just how quickly you can go through a million dollars."
"My guess is he'll spread some of it around. He may give some of it to other candidates. He may give some to the Republican campaign committee. Senate Republicans. He can do with it what he wants as long as he doesn't use it for his own well being. ... He can't buy a house with it. Or a vacation."
Another option would be to simply hold on to the money. The 62-year-old could use it again in the future to jump back into politics.
A federal investigation into Maziarz' campaign spending has resulted in subpoenas being issued to at least two of the senator's former staffers, Marcus Hall and Alisa Colatarci, his former chief of staff. Hall and Calatarci both resigned their positions on July 9.
Maziarz announced on Sunday that he would not be seeking re-election to the state Senate. North Tonawanda Mayor Robert Ortt will run on Maziarz' GOP petition in the September primary against Arnold.
Maziarz could not be reached for comment.
Send an email to news@eastniagarapost.com with "email update" in the subject line.
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