October 22, 2009

“It is deeply disappointing that Andy Spano has chosen to inject race into his campaign for a fourth term as Westchester County Executive. His bizarre charge demonstrates just how far an entrenched incumbent will go to try to hang onto power.

“Consider the facts: The Westchester housing settlement occurred because Mr. Spano was caught falsifying information on HUD documents by a federal judge. Mr. Spano then spent three years and millions of taxpayer dollars fighting the lawsuit filed against the County. Mr. Spano went so far as to label the lawsuit ‘garbage.’

“Then, after Federal District Court Judge Denise Cote scheduled a trial for November 2-the day before Election Day-to determine whether Mr. Spano falsely signed the HUD documents intentionally or recklessly, Mr. Spano went to the Justice Department and said, quote, ‘bail me out’, resulting in a settlement that will end up costing beleaguered taxpayers a minimum of $62.5 million in fines and housing costs, with a more likely eventual cost of $200 million or more.

“Now, after giving Westchester residents the highest taxes in America, he is calling anyone who opposes the settlement ‘racist.’ His hypocrisy is staggering. The man who spent three years and millions in taxpayer dollars fighting this suit, now calls anyone opposing it ‘racist.’ That includes the Democratic and Republican leaders of the County Legislature, who joined other legislators in voting against the settlement.

“Mr. Spano has done enough damage to Westchester County with his taxes. Throwing racism into the equation is shameful and pathetic.”