Quantcast

Governor backtracks on special election for Seminerio’s seat

Governor backtracks on special election for Seminerio’s  seat
By Howard Koplowitz

Whoopsy.

Hours after announcing a special election to fill disgraced former Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio’s (D-Richmond Hill) seat, Gov. David Paterson reversed himself, saying “no final decision has been made.”

At 12:16 p.m., Paterson’s office sent out a news release saying he had called a special election for Sept. 15, Primary Day, to fill the seat.

But less than four hours later, at 3:56 p.m., Paterson said the release “has been recalled.”

“No final decision has been made at this time with respect to a Special Election in the 38th District,” Paterson spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein said in the new statement.

Seminerio pleaded guilty in June to corruption charges, causing a vacancy. He admitted to taking roughly $1 million in illegal payments, including $390,000 from Jamaica Hospital and its Medicaid-managed health care plan.

Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.