City Councilman Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) completely separated himself from his former protegé, disgraced Assemblywoman Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Brighton Beach), today, one day after her guilty plea in U.S. Federal Court on felony corruption charges.
Treyger, the Democratic District Leader for the area, along with being the city council member, was Harris’ largest booster in her run-up to being elected to the assembly.
“I am deeply disappointed in former Assemblywoman Pamela Harris and her egregious breach of public trust,” said Treyger. “This troubling news does not change the fact that the needs of our community must be our top priority. I look forward to ensuring our residents’ needs are always accounted for and addressed.”
Meanwhile, three of the four candidates looking to replace Harris reacted to her guilty plea with vows to work honestly as public servants to improve the district.
Chris McCreight (D), the latest candidate to throw his hat in the race to replace the disgraced lawmaker, was ready to tackle the problems facing the district.
“It’s another sad in New York politics and an even sadder day for a district that continues to be without representation. As someone with experience working in the Assembly and in both the Bay Ridge and Coney Island sides of the district, I’m ready to hit the ground running to tackle the problems that we face, including a broken MTA system, overcrowded schools, and the opioid epidemic,” said McCreight.
Steve Saperstein (R) was pleased at the move, noting the end of an era of corruption in South Brooklyn politics.
“Today’s guilty plea closes a dark chapter for the people of the 46th Assembly District. There is no doubt that our community has had enough of the plague suffered from the hands of corrupt politicians. Enough is enough. The time for common sense has come. The time to put the people first is here. I only hope I’m given the privilege come November to give this community what they so rightfully deserve, someone who truly works for them,” said Saperstein.
Candidates Ethan Lustig-Elgrably (D) and Mathlyde Frontus (D) both echoed the same sentiments, looking to the close Harris’ corruption scandal and move the district onto a more prosperous path.
“Former Assemblywoman Pam Harris’ guilty plea brings a close to a frustrating and disappointing chapter for Southern Brooklyn. Any breaking of the public trust is unacceptable and must not be tolerated. I will work to restore trust and integrity to this office and make serious ethics reform a top priority in the State Assembly,” said Lustig-Elgrably.
“Unfortunately, this story adds to an already long history of corruption which has dominated our part of Brooklyn for years. However, I am glad that this chapter is now closed and the people of the district can now move on. As the next Assembly Member for the 46th AD, I will focus on restoring trust with my constituents and conducting business on an open and transparent manner,” said Frontus.
Harris faces up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of an original 11 count felony indictment against her in federal court.
In a tearful statement in front of United States Magistrate Judge Robert Levy, Harris, 57, admitted guilt to two counts of wire fraud, one count of making false statements to FEMA, and one count of witness tampering.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York handed down an 11-count indictment against Harris including two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of making false statements, two counts of bankruptcy fraud, one count of witness tampering and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
Harris is alleged to have pocketed both City Council and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) money earmarked for the non-profit she ran, Coney Island Generation Gap (CIGG).
According to the original indictment, Harris defrauded FEMA out of nearly $25,000 in Superstorm Sandy Recovery and Build It Back funding by falsely claiming to FEMA she had been forced out of her residence and into a home in Staten Island. Harris then presented fake lease agreements that she purportedly entered into with the landlord of the Staten Island residence, as well as bogus rent payment receipts. In reality, the defendant continued to live at her Coney Island residence and pocketed the FEMA payments for herself.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a comment from 46th Assembly District candidates Mathylde Frontus.
