LaValle clarifies $100K repayment plan

Suffolk Republican chairman John Jay LaValle raised eyebrows last week when he said the party would set up a "repayment plan" to voluntarily turn over to the district attorney $100,000 it received March 10 from County Executive Steve Levy.

Yet it hasn't all been spent. LaValle said the local GOP still has more than $70,000 of it and awaits repayment of $30,000 advanced to the campaign of Martin Haley, who lost a special election for county legislator. LaValle said the party may use some of the funds until its May fundraiser -- but expects to turn over the unused money after that.

LaValle said he'll arrange to return the remainder on a payment plan after the campaign season. "My priority is to pay it back in a manner that does not put the election cycle in any jeopardy."

-- Rick Brand