8/16/2019 Reilich Responds to MCDC Investigation

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M O N R O E C O U N T Y R E P U B L I C A N C O M M I T T E E

SUITE 100B •  460 STATE STREET •  ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14608 •  585-546-8040 •  FAX 585-546-851

BILL REILICH

Chairman

For Immediate Release:  Media Inquiries, Contact:Friday, May 27, 2016 Republican Headquarters 546-8040

STATEMENT FROM MONROE COUNTY REPUBLICAN

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN BILL REILICH Re: Criminal Investigation into Monroe County Democratic Committee

Rochester, NY  –   “It was not until news broke of a criminal investigation into  New York City

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s funneling of campaign funds to upstate Democrat Senate candidates inthe 2014 election that we became aware that then Senator Ted O’Brien and the Monroe County

Democratic Committee were also participants in the alleged scheme. It was pointed out that Mr.O’Brien and the Monroe County Democratic Committee  were not part of the criminalinvestigation at that time because a complaint had yet to be filed.

“Upon learning that a formal complaint was needed in order to launch an investigation, the MonroeCounty Republican Committee promptly filed a complaint with Ms. Risa Sugarman, ChiefEnforcement Counsel for the New York State Board of Elections, that detailed the $225,000 inallegedly illicit donations to the Monroe County Democratic Committee and how those funds weredisbursed to Mr. O’Brien’s campaign. The complaint also referenced the April 21st New York Timesarticle that quoted then Monroe County Democratic Committee Chairman Dave Garretson, where headmits to his participation in the scheme.

“The known facts of the case seem to point to criminal wrongdoing by both parties, but having notseen the subpoena myself and not knowing first-hand the documents and records that were seized, itis difficult to know the full scope of this investigation. I trust that the details of this criminalinvestigation will eventually become public and those who were in violation of the law willultimately be held responsible. I also trust that the participants will be responsible for returning anyillegally obtained campaign funds.” 

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