Reginald Lafayette, the Democratic elections commissioner and party leader, said he won’t call for any investigation into allegations of elections fraud by Republicans in the District 7 Board of Legislators race.
“I’m not calling for an investigation on myself or the board (of elections),” he told Politics on the Hudson. “It’s over with. The two parties agree.”
Even though Legislator Judy Myers, D-Mamaroneck, won the Independence line over her Republican challenger Suzanna Keith, Democrats called for an investigation into elections fraud after a Republican deputy commissioner and party boss “mysteriously found” three votes.
In a statement issued Thursday, Doug Forand said ballots “don’t just appear from impounded machines.”
“There are only a few plausible ways this can happen, none of which are good,” he said. “And if someone knowingly planted false ballots in a scheme to steal this election, it’s election fraud.”
Lafayette distanced himself from that charge — even though the release was on party letterhead — and later called it an “overzealous action.”
“If they are being paid by the party, they will be terminated,” he said. “Those who sent this without my knowledge won’t be affiliated with the party. … I’m getting to the bottom of this.”
Myers won the line with 75 votes to Keith’s 62. Eleven votes were challenged, though Keith has since conceded.
36 Comments
Good for you Chairman Lafayette. The idea that someone would send out such a horrible thing under your name it outrageous. I hope you come out of this with clean hands.
Firing Doug Forand is the appropiate responce by Reggie. Truth of the matter is that Doug Forand was fired by the democratic senate Conference after he lost the elctions of Daryl Aubertine, Brian Foley and Craig Johnson all in one year. Trying to promote your name by sending out outrageous press releases is the act of someone who cant be trusted.
LaFayette gets a taxpayer funded $150 grand plus perks for a part-time elections job. Then, as Party leader, he puts on another hat and collects more dollars there. Then, as for his real job… Same can be said for the Republican Colety.
How does reggie lafayette not know if they are getting paid by the party ? Isnt he the Chairman ? Something smells here folks.
Stop already. the state law is that the cochairs of the BOE are party members. That is totally legitimate. Reggie seems to have taken decisive action by firing these idiots. If any money was exchanged, he should get a refund. If he wavers, then that is a problem, but up to now, he has done the right thing.
I am still trying to figure out why you would want a recount on an election, which your client already won and was certified the winner by the Board of Elections ?
Why would you call for an investigation if youre client is the winner ?
This guy Forand has a screw loose I think.
forand is trying to establish an explanation already for why judy meyers gets crushed in November.
If Judy Myers doesn’t fire him tommorow, this will become a HUGE campaign issue overnight.
You all are intent on making this about NOBLE Reggie LaFayette and that bad renegade Doug Forand.
The real story hear is that the GOP attempted to cheat and got caught. Why investigate after you’ve won? Well, maybe next time they won’t get caught and a candidate will have a race stolen from him that he’s won legitimately.
Nancy Meehan is the wife of Rob Astorino’s hand picked attorney. George Oros already was involved in funny business in gathering Suzanna Keith’s signatures. This Keith is an amateur who the GOP is propping up at all cost because she’s a cash cow.
Let’s not focus on Doug Forand since nobody seems to know who he is. Lets focus on CHEATING .
There is No evidence of “CHEATING.” I will tell you this though.
I was Judy Meyers, I would be REALLY REALLY nervous right now.
Her consultant has started a jihad against the Board of Elections, EVEN THOUGH she was declared a winner.
Her consultant has publicly humiliated the Democratic Chair who happens to also be the Chair of the Board of Elections.
Her consultant has started a press frenzy on something that mentions her, not her opponent.
Her consultant has somehow made ALL THESE enemies for her, while making her opponent look like a victim.
If she has any brains, she will cut out the cancer quick just like Reggie did, cause everyone knows, where there is smoke, there is fire.
Let’s get real. Judy Myers should/can/will win, if she handles this directly and correctly This is a test for her, not the end of the world. She needs to show that women can handle difficult situations better than men, who usually create the problems (as they have here.) But editorial boards, the League of Women Voters and others are watching so as long as she distances herself from this Forand character, who was associated with Espada and Monseratte, she will carry the day against her opponent in November. She is the best candidate by far. If her opponent links her to Espada and Monseratte, she is in deep doo doo.
We had the same problem with Doug Forand out here when he lost our County legislative races. he ended up bringing out this nut Bill Samuels, from the Roosevelt Home for the Irrelevant, who endorsed our slate of female candidates, and all he talked about was Pedro Espada, and how he supposedly beat him in a campaign. The press clips had Pedro Espadas name in all the stories with our candidates. IT WAS HORRIBLE. We ended up finding out that Samuels pays Forand to do this kind of work and promote him. It was never clear who was working for whom, whose interests were being promoted, whose ego was being stroked. A really bad experience.
I don’t care who she distances herself from. All she wants to do is to see taxes raised – school, county, and local. The dinosaurs are going down.
I’m not sure Judy Myers is associated with this consultant Doug Forand. Let’s not jump to conclusions. It’s possible that he lied about that too. BTW who would hire someone who has a company named after a beer. I just googled the guys name. Very strange. I mean, i think Judy is active with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and groups like that.
I don’t know Judy Myers, but she should be giving a fair opportunity to address the scandal before anyone jumps to conclusions. Fair is fair. She should tell the media or post on twitter so that we known if this guy is involved with her campaign or if he is some rogue agent. whether you’re an Independant or a Republican or a Democrat, fair is fair. Let’s not jump to conclusions or throw ouhe unknown facts. She has not been given the chance to make a statement on this controversy and whether she knew about it beforehand. Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt till she speaks on the matter. This is still a breaking story.
I CANT WAIT FOR THE DEBATES !!!!!!!!!!! I love politics !
That the Democrat leadership are so quick to distance themselves and get rid of this issue implies that there are happenings with these and other votes that they would prefer not be scrutinized.
Why does Judy Myers have to address the issue of Suzanna Keith cheating? Judy Myers 1) won and 2) didn’t cheat. Even if this guy is her consultant well all he’s saying is that Nancy Meehan cheated. She is married to the County Attorney . Maybe she did cheat.
As for Reggie LaFayette he is probably wishing it would go away because a spotlight on the BOE benefits no one. This isn’t a Democrat/ Republican thing. Both parties try to get away with anything they can.
But Judy Myers doesn’t need to explain. She won fair and square.
Nancy Meehan got caught cheating in broad daylight. Her title is deputy commissioner at the board of elections. That is the only reason that his is a big deal. There was no secret that she is not qualified, but her degree of stupidity is alarming.
Astorino needs to do Doug Colety a big favor and annoint Nancy, “Commissioner of Playland Off-Season Only” with summers off.
WEll all I know is that Forand helped Tom DiNapoli beat Harry Wilson and Wilson was a rockstar. He’ll wipe the floo=r with a pipsqueek like Keith. She’s a PTA president for Gods sake.
I beieve this story to be true. Most of these comments appear to be excuses and spin.
Judy Myers just lost her campaign. look at the insane things Forand is posting. Now you are not surprised that we would send out a statement under Reggie Lafayettes name without knowing it.
Boy, the name Taylor has risen to the top but not in a good way.
I don’t believe any of this for a minute. This as I said before is to create a circus and take the heat off Ms, Myers. Her preformance has never been one of inovation on the Board. She is a follower, not a leader. Ask yourself Why she was not made majority leader and Mr. Harkham is. That is because she has not shown any individualality. She follows Mr. Jerkins like a puppy dog. No hesitation even though she should know right from wrong. Elect this Suzanna, she seems to have some individual ideas and would think of Westchester County not just the tax and spend attitude presented by this present Board.
Mr. Jenkins is a Yonkers lackey, with a mentallity of Spending money we don’t have on things that help people that don’t work and have never cared a damn about the County we live in.
Vote them out or pay high taxes.
Nancy, instead of calling ken jenkins a lackey, you should worry about going to jail. you were handed a big title and your arrogance/ignorance has landed you in trouble.
I hear the DA’s office has been asking questions and your co-workers are eager to talk. apparently you are not well liked at the BOE.
Hey Taylormade, which word didn’t you understand about the fact that I am not Nancy Meehan. If you are wrong about this fact then all your facts are wrong. Get a grip and use your own name instead of picking one already started long ago. What are you practicing at being on the BOL? All are followers not leaders. Not one Westchester LEGISLATOR has a thought of their own. Copy catS. They are sheep following and out of control leader who is a tax and spend. ONCE AGAIN, GET A MIND OF YOUR OWN.
Yes, it was ridiculous for Ms meehan to even let the cat out of the bag if there truly was 3 extra uncounted votes.
1st of all, if that did happen it smacks of incompetence at the boe (for which she was handed this plum job at an incredible salary due to her “connections” ), unable to handle a minor primary without a screwup counting absentee ballots.
2nd and it didn’t matter because three wouldn’t make a difference unless a “plan” was in place to “find” more.
Time for Ms meehan to start looking for more lucrative work. Maybe Ms burns will need an assistant when spano Jr is mayor of Yonkers.
And NOBODY is going to send out a statement on dem party letterhead without Reggie’s approval.
DEALS had to have been made to disappear this inept plan.
Only the dems can get these ‘fun and games’ to go thru properly!
Is this going to continue until the election? Follow the history. How many times has votes been found in machines, stuck together or left in election bags. What all voters should be worring about is the lowering of taxes in Westchester and not having to support all these non tax paying people that the BOard of Legislators say need new houses, free babysitting, and have the services some of us can’t afford that work for it.
Please save our money and vote these tax and spend people out of office and put in people that are considerate of our tax money.
Is this what Forand gets paid to do ? I would suggest ms myers find a new staff pretty soon. This guy just got fired, just got humiliated, god only knows what OTHER charges are now going to come out, and he is spending his time making these
Weird charges up.
So now Forand is claiming that the DA is investigating the BOE ? I’m sure Myers will betrayed real well by the BOE. Oh my god these people are idiots. And she hasn’t even had the brains yet to fire this nut working on her campaign. Wait till Tuesday.
This is a great strategy for Judy Meyers. Attack the chair of the democratic party, attack the people who actually administer the election, call for the chair and the board of elections to be investigated, send out a press release under a false name, etc. Wait till she sees what is coming out this week on Doug Forand.
the spin against Judy Meyers is a sad result of the system of corruption. Nancy Meehan is involved in mysterious handling of ballots and the DEM candidate is bashed afterwards. Mission Accomplished, Mrs. County Attorney. Scumbags seem to prosper in that patronage community.
judy Meyers needs to wake up and take the same decisive actions Reggie Lafayette took. Apparently, the rumours are out there that there is more to this story.
Bob Meehan’s house frau won’t even get a slap on the wrist. She’s the county attorney’s wife and she knows it. Why else would she be so eager to jump in front of the News12 camera and be arrogant about mishandling ballots? Have you ever seen that act from another BOE deputy?
Typical Mount Pleasant arrogance. It won’t be missed in a couple of years.
amen.
Nancy Meehan can’t even cheat right and Judy Myers needs to take decisive action? No no no. SUZANNA KEITH cheated. Not Judy Myers. Myers doesn’t have to do anything. And I’ll bet Reggie LaFayette and this guy Forand are having a beer right about now while Mr Meehan is sleeping on the couch.
Nancy Meehan will end up like Gail Burns – stuck somewhere till they need her.
Keith Bragged she had 80 votes. I guess Boy George Oros couldn’t help her as much as he tried. Typical dirty BOE politics.
Keith loses big like Liz Feld. Remember her?
Fact is, ALL you boring namecallers are on the payroll. You take a stand only depending upon who’s signing your checks.