Life gets worse and worse every week for Staten Island Republicans, whose once-firm grip on New York’s 13th congressional district is now all but limp. Things are going less than swimmingly in the GOP primary to replace disgraced retiring Rep. Vito Fossella, as the two leading pretenders can’t stay away from each other’s throats.
Jamshad Wyne, the Staten GOP finance chair, claims that Straniere asked him to engage in illegal campaign financing for his failed 2001 campaign for borough president:
Wyne — who uses the name Dr. Jamshad Wyne professionally — said Straniere asked him to take $5,000 of his personal cash and disburse it to relatives who would, in turn, write checks in the amounts of $250 or $200 to Straniere for Borough President, thereby maximizing the amount of matching funds Straniere could receive from the city Campaign Finance Board.
Straniere adamantly denied the claim, calling it “outrageous.”
Wyne said he never followed through on what he maintains was Straniere’s request.
Such a practice is illegal; in recent years two politicians, one running for Queens borough president and the other for public advocate, were jailed for promoting such a scheme.
For his part, Straniere has decided to go all out racist:
Meanwhile, during an interview yesterday, Straniere said Wyne has been using the name “Jim” on the campaign trail because “he is trying to remake himself into something other than who is. He obviously doesn’t want people to know he is Pakistani and a Muslim.”
Stay classy, Republicans.
why does this not surprise me?
Maybe the GOP should have tried to recruit Curtis Sliwa instead.
election most likely to become an episode of law an order.
I love this race!
As a dem leaning SI independent I would be shocked to see McMahon lose this. The only direct advertising I see in my mailbox is from McMahon and the press is staying away from the race so far – I think the GOP just gave up. When Molinari says he would do anything against Straniere there is GOP blood in the water.