(Buffalo, NY, February 7, 2007)Â
A judge has upheld the ouster of George Holt for violating his oath as an Erie County lawmaker. Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg brings us the latest on a milestone court ruling you saw First on 4.
State Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dillon has ruled that George Holt, who had admitted to making false tax statements, cannot return to his seat in the Erie County legislature, because he pleaded guilty to “crimes involving a violation of his oath of office, thus creating a vacancy in his legislative seat.”
Dillon noted that Holt violated a section of the New York State tax law through “willful deceit, a calculated disregard for honest dealings and intentional dishonesty.”
Erie County Attorney Larry Rubin said, “A crime involving willful deceit, whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony, doesn’t matter; that’s a violation of your oath of office.”
H. Todd Bullard, Holt’s attorney, said, “Obviously, we disagree with that, and we have to analyze what our next option would be.”
Holt had maintained that legislature chairwoman Lynn Marinelli and county lawmakers had illegally declared his seat vacant, but Dillon ruled that they had nothing to do with the loss of his elected office.
Marinelli said, “No one made the decision. The decision was made upon his entering a guilty plea.”
Reaction to the ruling against George Holt was mixed.
Voter Dan Kiblin said, “I don’t think he belongs in office for what he did. The fact that he stole money that wasn’t his, literally, he doesn’t belong in office.”
Voter Desiree Threeths said, “Everybody deserves a second chance, you know? I don’t know if it was a mistake, he forgot, or what, but he deserves a second chance.”
Wednesday night, Bullard was trying to reach Holt to see if he wants to appeal the judge’s ruling.
Bullard believes that there should be a legal process set up before a lawmaker is simply removed.
Saw it on channel 4.
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