By Jeremy Walsh
Former state Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette has been named the state Insurance Department's deputy superintendent for community affairs, Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo announced Tuesday.
Lafayette will lead the department's education and community outreach activities from the position, which pays $140,000 a year, Insurance Department spokesman Andrew Mais said.
“Ivan Lafayette is an outstanding addition to the department and a great choice to lead our outreach effort,” Dinallo said.
Lafayette, who served in the state Assembly for 32 years, served as a member of the Insurance Committee and chairman of the Subcommittee on Automobile Insurance. His signature achievements include the Uninsured Motorist's Law, which creates penalties for driving without insurance, Dinallo said.
Lafayette was not available for comment by press time Tuesday.
Lafayette, 78, announced he was leaving the Assembly in July to accept an undisclosed position under Gov. David Paterson.
“It's a position that I've advocated to be established for many years,” he said at the time. “And lo and behold, I'm going to be the guy that's going to occupy that position.”
His decision, which came a few days before the deadline to file petitions for the 34th State Assembly District primary election, created some turmoil in the area when paralegal and former City Council candidate Marlene Tapper filed to run against Michael Den Dekker, the Queens Democratic Party's ordained successor to Lafayette.
Tapper's name was thrown off the ballot after Den Dekker filed suit alleging that some of her petition signatures were falsified.
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
