Carrié Solages declares his innocence against assault charges
Nassau County Legis. Carrié Solages declared his innocence against charges that he assaulted his girlfriend and vowed to remain in office. Credit: Danielle Finkelstein
Nassau Legis. Carrié Solages declared his innocence Thursday against charges that he assaulted his girlfriend and vowed to remain in office.
Meanwhile, Legis. Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow), presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, sent a letter Friday to District Attorney Madeline Singas, asking her to appoint a special prosecutor to the case.
Solages (D-Elmont), in a Facebook post, told followers that the accusations were “false. I am innocent and will have my day in court. I will continue to serve my constituency as I’ve done.”
Solages posted a Bible quotation that states in part, “I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.”
Solages, 38, pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child and was released without bail.
Authorities on Wednesday responded to a call at the Valley Stream home where Solages lives with his girlfriend. The woman told police Solages grabbed her arm and neck and pushed her into a wall after he “began accusing me of hiding his marijuana,” according to court documents.
Reached Friday, Solages said he would need to speak with his attorney before commenting further. Solages’ attorney, Brian Griffin, did not return a call for comment. Griffin has called the criminal charges “mere allegations,” and said Solages has “absolutely no intention” of resigning.
Gonsalves in her letter noted that Solages as a county lawmaker casts votes on the district attorney’s budget. Gonsalves said a special prosecutor would empower “abused women to face their accusers” and “protect the integrity” of the DA’s office.
Singas spokesman Brendan Brosh said, “This office has successfully prosecuted other public officials without conflict, and there is none presented here.”
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, including two candidates for Nassau County executive and several county legislators, have called on Solages to resign.
Solages’ refusal to vacate his seat is not unusual.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano has refused calls to step down since his arrest last year on federal corruption charges while Hempstead Town Board member Edward Ambrosino, arrested this year on wire fraud and tax evasion charges, has also declined to vacate the seat. Mangano and Ambrosino pleaded not guilty.
Solages is up for re-election in November when he is scheduled to face Republican nominee Paul Sapienza, the former president of the Elmont Chamber of Commerce.
Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.
