Common Cause/NY On Santos Guilty Plea: "Pass Legislation to Prevent Future Santoses"

NEW YORK, NY (08/19/2024) (readMedia)-- Today, in response to breaking news that former Rep Santos pleaded guilty to identity theft and wire fraud, Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY, put out the following statement:

"It's been clear for a long time that Santos defrauded voters, and it's about time this chapter is closed for Long Islanders. Now, Albany lawmakers must pass Senator Liu and Assembly Member Sillitti's bill that raises the accountability bar for candidates and makes it harder for candidates who lack integrity– like Mr. Santos – to trick New York voters. We're hopeful lawmakers will pass this bill swiftly come January so no future candidate bamboozles the public again."

BACKGROUND:

The bill, introduced by Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti and State Senator John Liu earlier this year would specifically require any candidate running in New York State for any elected office to sign a sworn statement affirming their military service, if any; portions of their employment history; their current residence and that they meet the residency requirements of the office for which they are running; and any portion of their educational record they tout to voters.

Under the proposed legislation, sworn statements would be posted to the candidates' respective Board of Elections' website fifteen days after they submit petitions or other documentation to be placed on the ballot, ensuring that members of the public and the press have ample opportunity to research the veracity of the candidate's statements prior to Election Day. If the candidate fails to provide the required statement, that fact would be posted along with the sworn statements of other candidates.

Failure to file the statement would also carry a penalty of up to $1,000, with additional penalties of $25 per day, up to a maximum of $1,000 for each additional day the statement is not filed. The bill requires that any monetary penalties cannot be paid out of campaign funds.