Falk Attacks Katz Over Campaign Finances Not Yet Submitted
Democratic challenger Andrew Falk came out swinging against Republic incumbent and Assemblyman Steve Katz for not disclosing his post campaign-finance reports by deadline, which was July 15.
Katz had not filed his financial disclosure forms with the New York State Board of Elections as of Monday afternoon before press time. In a press release issued last week, Falk disseminated Katz’s failure to file and said “people who make the law should have the integrity to abide by it.”
In an interview, Falk reiterated his point and said by not filing his campaign finances, it is another example of Katz ignoring the law, calling it a pattern. He went on to say, voters in the 94th district deserve to know where Katz is receiving campaign fund.
Falk said he filed his campaign finances on July 14, a day before the deadline. He said when he noticed Katz did not file by the deadline, he started to check every couple of days whether his finances were on the NYS Board of Elections website. With each day, “it became more and more blatant that he feels it’s just another law to disregard when it doesn’t convenience him.”
“We should have trust that our elected officials and people that want to be elected officials will always act with integrity,” Falk said. “Whether or not somebody is watching or not.”
When reached for comment, Katz said his information would be submitted by the end of the week and had a simple explanation for his forms not meeting deadline.
His former treasurer had resigned, but did not fill out the proper paperwork required when leaving the job. He then got in touch with the state board of elections in Albany, which told him it’s not a problem if the forms are handed in past due date once his new treasurer finishes collecting the necessary numbers.
“There’s been no horrible crime committed and that’s all I have to say,” Katz said.
Falk cited other run-ins with the law including the ticket Katz got last year for marijuana possession that resulted in a small fine and community service.
Falk also noted Katz settled a case for $105,000 in 2006 after Katz was sued by a former female employee at his Bronx veterinary office after she was fired. The female employee went to Katz after she said she was being sexually harassed by a co-worker, but Katz did not investigate. A month later, the employee claimed she was fired as a result.
Falk also mentioned two different times Katz was arrested, but failed to say the cases were almost immediately dismissed both times.
According to Falk’s finances, between January 2014 and July 2014, Falk raised more than $25,000, though $3,000 came from Falk’s law office in Brewster.
