Wilson sues, claiming Zeldin misspending campaign funds
Rep. Lee Zeldin, left, has been accused of violating campaign fundraising rules by fellow Republican candidate for governor Harry Wilson, right. Credit: Newsday File
ALBANY — Republican candidate for governor Harry Wilson has filed a lawsuit claiming one of his GOP rivals, Rep. Lee Zeldin, violated campaign fundraising rules to spend more than allowed in his campaign for the June 28 Republican primary.
Harry Wilson claims Zeldin has used campaign funds in his primary effort that were collected under the higher individual limits allowed for a general election campaign, created a new campaign for Zeldin and his general election running mate, Alison Esposito, to raise more funds to use on his primary campaign, and that Zeldin has used his congressional campaign account to raise money for his governor’s race even though the federal account should have closed when Zeldin announced his state run.
Zeldin’s campaign calls it a “frivolous, dishonest political stunt.”
“Wilson just desperately wants a hit piece written to turn around for a campaign ad. That’s what this is about,” said Zeldin spokeswoman Katie Vincentz. “Wilson has to know that he’s deliberately lying about the law on so many different levels,” Vincentz said. “He can’t truly be this dumb.”
Wilson said, "Lee Zeldin’s flailing campaign is so mismanaged it is out of primary cash and now breaking the law in a desperate bid to stay afloat. Just like his old buddy Andrew Cuomo, he believes in a different set of rules for insiders like him. This is yet another example of why he will never and should never be elected governor."
Wilson filed the civil action in Albany on Thursday against Zeldin and Nancy Marks, treasurer of the Zeldin for New York campaign for governor, for the Zeldin-Esposito 2022 fund and for Zeldin’s congressional campaign fund.
The lawsuit claims Zeldin and campaign officials engaged in “unlawful finance schemes which utilize wealthy donors to evade clearly established contribution limits … Lee Zeldin is unlawfully using money now that he is only allowed to use in connection with the November 8, 2022, general election.” That includes an accusation that Zeldin illegally transferred funds between the three campaign accounts.
For example, Wilson said state Board of Elections show $751,578 was transferred from the Zeldin-Esposito campaign fund to Zeldin’s account for his governor’s race “thus creating the illusion of infusing much-needed cash.” The lawsuit claims that under state election law the Zeldin-Esposito account could only transfer $60,824, and only $13,724 could be used for the primary race.
The state Board of Elections didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
Mixed reactions after U.S. attacks Venezuela Both anger and happiness were felt as many, including LI Venezuelans, reacted to the U.S.-led ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger has more.
Mixed reactions after U.S. attacks Venezuela Both anger and happiness were felt as many, including LI Venezuelans, reacted to the U.S.-led ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger has more.
