April 27, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Rensselaer County Democratic Leadership Respond to More Allegations of Republican Corruption

Today, Rensselaer County Republican employees and operatives were taken into custody on federal charges related to their handling of absentee ballots. Richard Crist, the county’s director of operations, Jim Gordon, the county’s director of purchasing, and Leslie Wallace, assistant for constituent relations in County Executive Steve McLaughlin’s office.

“Once again, allegations of criminal behavior plague the Republican regime in Rensselaer County related to ballot fraud and theft of service by county Republican officials – it’s serious and cannot be ignored,” said Rensselaer County Minority Leader Peter Grimm. “We, along with the Rensselaer County League of Woman Voters and various community groups, have worked for years fighting voter suppression in all its forms; these charges define the on-going corruption that continues to be perpetrated to suppress the vote in Rensselaer County,” continued Grimm.

“If these charges lead to a conviction, it is a blatant violation of the public trust and a direct attack on the integrity of the democratic process. Such actions undermine the very foundations of our democracy and cannot be tolerated,” added Deputy Minority Leader Cindy Doran.

“It is imperative that if there is sufficient evidence, the County Republican officials in question should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law”, stated Grimm. Grimm continued, “Any attempt to manipulate the electoral process through fraudulent means or misuse of public resources is a violation of the public trust, and as such, those responsible must be brought to justice.”

“We must all stand together in condemning such behavior and uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and fair play in all aspects of our democratic process,” stated Doran.