Problems with Pigeon's PACs

One of the things Tom Golisano and Steve Pigeon harp about when talking about the need to reform state government is transparency.

In fact, one of Responsible New York's eight objectives listed in its mission statement is True Government Transparency.

So it is no little irony that Pigeon has been something less than transparent in the way he has reported the financial activities of two political action committees he controls.

In fact, Pigon's PACs have been downright deceptive, if we are to believe the Erie County County Board of Elections, which has been investigating the financial doings of Citizens for Fiscal Integrity and People for Accountable Government.

Two things jump out in a story by my colleague, Matt Spina.

First, Pigeon's two PACs have filed only 11 of 43 required financial disclosure reports dating back to 2005. And half of those were filed late.

Pigeon claims the PACs were not required to make some of the filings because the committees were not active in some election periods. The state election law is clear: you are required to file a report for all periods. The only time you're allowed to not do so is when you file a statement saying the committee was inactive for the period in question. Pigeon's PACs made so such filings.

Add to this the fact that the state Board of Elections obtained six judgments against the Pigeon PACs for failure to comply, and has taken other enforcement actions, as well.

Sorry, Steve, but when it comes to the meaning of the election law, I'll take the Board of Elections word for it, not yours.

The Board of Election's second major finding may be even more troublesome, that the PACs failed to initially disclose $45,750 in contributions and more than $53,000 in expenses, including contributions to other candidates.

The Board of Elections determined this by subpoenaing the committee's bank records and comparing it against what the PACs had filed in their financial disclosure reports. The two election commissioners put it this way:

“The information we have so far indicates there have been multiple violations of the election law,” said Dennis E. Ward, Erie County’s Democratic elections commissioner. “The most serious involve significant amounts of money going in and coming out of the committees that have not been reported. That indicates false reports were filed.”

“The committees are used as vehicles in which money is laundered and given to candidates in greater amounts than what they’re legally entitled to receive,” said Ralph M. Mohr, the Republican commissioner for Erie County.

Folks, this is serious stuff.

It would be regardless whose PACS they were.

That the committees are controlled by Tom Golisano's right-hand man makes these findings a big deal.

That Pigeon has his eye on one of the top staff jobs in the state Senate, perhaps chief legal counsel for the Republicans if they manage to regain control, makes these findings a big deal.

That Pigeon is constantly trolling the local political waters  trying to influence who gets elected to conduct the people's business makes these findings a big deal.

It's not as though Pigeon has a pristine track record.

Tony Masiello decried the "thug mentality" he said had permeated the Erie County Democratic Party by the end of Pigeon's tenure as chairman. Then there's the shenanigans last fall in the campaign against Sam Hoyt.

Pigeon's response to the Board of Elections findings is typical. He claims he is following the law and attacks those who find fault with his actions.

Sorry, Steve, but you've got some 'splainin' to do, as Ricky used to tell Lucy.

Comments

[Baby Nanula]

I am sure Pigeon will do a thorough internal investigation. Something where he will give himself a large sum of money to make sure he is following the "rules".

[Dave]

If you and your colleague spent half as much time reporting on what has or has not been going on with the Senate for the past 3 plus weeks and/or what Senators (all) have also broken Board of Election rules (numerous times) you would probably have an article worth reading. Even if Pigeon and Golisano back somebody and help get them elected by spending money, is it going to be any worse than the idiots that are hand picked for us by the parties now and the wonderful job they have been doing? What we really need now is 62 new people that aren't afraid to go to work and if somebody has the money to make that happen, so be it. What does it matter? The governor and the the 2 guys from NY City are going to make all of the decisions anyways. And they are only going to do what the unions tell them to do. Why don't you do an article on that...or are you afraid of the unions in this state also?

[Colin]

Yeah, really -- what does it matter if powerful people break the law? I mean, it's only the law, right? Aren't powerful people allowed to break the law anymore?

[Buffalopundit]

NYS government it screwed up enough as it is. The last thing we need is Steve Pigeon's brand of failure aggravating the situation.

[errrr]

Just think, Pigeon is involved with making the endorsements for the Independence Party on the state level. The local chairmen have no final say. So if you get the Independence endorsement you don't even know if its legal because theyare fighting in court.

[Dave]

"Folks, this is serious stuff"???
Why don't you go after the REAL serious stuff like, why is it that the 3 men in a room are the ones that control the budget for the WHOLE state (the gov and 2 guys from NY City of course) and quit worrying about some minor independent party candidates.

[Dave]

When is the Buffalo News going to report on REAL news that is IMPORTANT??? We have a NY State Senate that has not met since June 8 and today you bury this information in the middle of Page A6 of the paper. But on Sunday, right on the front page, is an article about Pigeon and Golisano not reporting campaign funds and how serious this is. Just where does the Senate not meeting for the past 21 days rate on your scale of serious issues? They are done in 2 days and have basically done nothing for the month of June? And you are worried about a couple of minority Independence Party leaders? Why isn't the headlines SCREAMING about this Senate fiasco EVERYDAY???

[kimball]

Sounds to me that “Dave” is drinking the Pigeon koolaid and I would not be surprised in the least if he was in fact the infamous Dave Pfaff – Pigeon’s PAC treasurer and political operative. If so, Dave, have you been questioned by the authorities – be they the Erie County BOE or the FBI? Hmmmmmm……makes me wonder…..why else would you be so upset about the Pigeon articles. Remember Dave, bring a lawyer the next time you get questioned – and a criminal defense lawyer – not one of Pigeon’s buddies at Underberg and Kessler or John Bartolome – Pigeon’s Niagara Falls buddy.Dave, a word of advise – the aforementioned would represent Pigeon’s interest – NOT YOURS – in a criminal matter

[Dave]

Hey Kimball... When the state basically shuts down and your taxes nearly double on July 1 because the Senate was more interested in who was in charge and less interested in keeping the state running... who cares????

[wil]

Dave, It was not the Senate who was interested in who was in charge, it was Golisano and Pigeon... The People of New York voted for who controls the state.. Golisano and Pigeon orchestrated/bribed the coup for their own self interests... This is their doing... Why are you not outraged that two rich men have usurped the voting rights of every New Yorker in the State! Is it because you are partisan? If so, you do not have the interests of the people of the State of New York at the forefront of your concerns.. Your rants serve no purpose but to alienate your views from the mainstream and discredit whatever agenda you are trying to promote....

[my2cents]

You news people tickle me - you supposedly had people go and investigate at the Board of Elections!?

Why is it then you dont happen to look at local - City and County - PAC fund donations?

The money train starts locally and goes to Washington - why is it you only seem to point out the people you dont like -