As you all know, Bronx GOP Chairman Jay Savino's legal demise has been predicted for nearly four years now. One person who I have written about has gone to the trouble of making up accusations of wrongdoing against him and other members of the Bronx GOP such as Dawn Sandow, Anthony Ribustello, Frank Tosi, J.C. Polanco, and Phil Foglia.
With the recent arrest of Westchester Republican Anthony Mangone, the aforementioned person (let's call him Ishmael--an inside joke) has been suggesting that Savino took money to promote the new electronic voting machines for New York City. Mangone did, in fact, lobby for the company that builds these machines.
"Ishmael" is hoping for several things. First, he thinks he can turn people against Savino. Second, he thinks that by revealing embarrassing personal information (don't assume it's true) anonymously on the Internet, he can hurt his targets (or victims) or blackmail them into leaving public life. (Who likes being smeared on the Internet?) Most of all, Ismael hopes that some prosecutor, FBI agent, or detective somewhere will read these posts and maybe decide that there may be something there. By opening an investigation (i.e. a fishing expedition), maybe a prosecutor will find something, anything to nail Savino.
Of course, Ishmael doesn't realize it. But with his all hysterical falsehoods and unproven allegations, he doesn't realize that he has made the prosecution of Jay Savino extremely difficult.
Let's say that Ishmael's wet dream comes true, and Savino is actually indicted for something. (I don't expect any future investigation--if one is bothered to be open--to get past a grand jury unless they have videotape of him buying cocaine or taking a suitcase full of cash). During the trial, all his lawyer would have to do is read all of Ishmael's posts on different sites to the jury. "False, unproven allegations have made against Mr. Savino and his associates for years. How is this any different?" the lawyer could ask the jury. Indeed, this could be enough to create a reasonable doubt with the jury.
Ishmael's real name has been exposed on numerous sites (including this one). Certainly, Savino's lawyer could subpoena him and have him testify under oath. In order to avoid a perjury rap and losing his law license, Ishmael would have to admit that (1) he's been smearing Savino for years for whatever reason (i.e. "he got the promotion I should have," "he displaced me as Guy's sidekick," "we got into an argument at Velella's fundraiser," etc.) and (2) made unproven and even false allegations.
Ishmael could certainly take the Fifth, but this would look bad in open court. (Mario Biaggi took the Fifth during a grand jury hearing once. It leaked out, and his 1973 campaign for mayor was destroyed.)
So congratulations, Ishmael. In your zeal to destroy Jay Savino, you have probably made it impossible for him to be convicted of anything should he ever be investigated and then charged.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: In writing this, I am NOT saying that Jay Savino is being investigated, or that he will soon be indicted by a DA, NYS Attorney General, U.S. Attorney, or the UN War Crimes Commission. I am simply pointing out an irony to someone who has devoted the last few years of his sad life trying to get Savino sent to prison because of a personal grudge.
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written by Behold a Pale Horse , February 02, 2010
If there's a lesson in this Shakespearean tragicomedy, it's "Never think that you're smarter than everyone else."
written by Daniel Peterson , February 11, 2010
Pale Horse, Looks like there were some subpoenas that were sent out.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/02/bronx-gop-chair-elections-comm.html
"J.C. Polanco, the Bronx GOP commissioner, and Queens GOP Commissioner Judith Stupp, acknowleged they received subpoenas earlier this week. Both declined comment.
Also served was Bronx Republican Party Chairman Jay Savino, who stressed he plans to be as cooperative as possible with investigators but declined to say anything more. "
written by Behold a Pale Horse , February 11, 2010
We'll see where it goes.
Again, given how someone out there has gone to the trouble of manufacturing falsehoods about Savino, et al in the last four years, it's become a little difficult to take accusations of corruption against Savino & Co. seriously.
Also, is it a coincidence that the now-expelled "Peter Gordon" accused Savino of taking money from Mangone to promote the voting machines (without evidence) on UE?
written by Behold a Pale Horse , March 01, 2010
This is a collection of posts, which I found through the Wayback machine--which preserves old pages from Web sites that no longer active. They concern the 2006 State Senate race between Democratic incumbent Jeff Klein and Republican, Jay Savino.
Many of these have the hysterical anti-Savino attacks by "Doug DeWitt", "Dave Pendergrass" and most interestingly, "Phil S."
written by Behold a Pale Horse , March 01, 2010
Of course, I forgot the link.
See http://web.archive.org/web/200...my/term/57
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