Mesi Bankrolled by Republican Giambra’s Cash

July 23rd, 2008 Local News

Iannello criticizes influence of failed Republican County Executive on Mesi

(Amherst, NY) Michele M. Iannello (D-Kenmore), Democratic candidate for State Senate, criticizes her primary opponent Joe Mesi for accepting money from a Political Action Committee funded solely by former Republican Erie County Executive Joel Giambra.Earlier this month, Mesi accepted $3,000 from a PAC called Citizens for Fiscal Integrity, whose only donor is Republican Giambra.

Citizens for Fiscal Integrity, which has failed to file its last six financial disclosure reports, shows only one contributor since its last filing in 2005, Friends of Joel Giambra.  Giambra donated $9,000 to the PAC and the PAC in turn funneled $3,000 to Friends of Joe Mesi just days before the July 2008 filing deadline.

Iannello, who was elected in the wake of the County’s fiscal crisis, warned the voters on the danger of sending an ally of Republican Giambra to Albany. “While Mr. Mesi has been using the duck and weave he learned in boxing to avoid talking about the issues, this is a very clear one. By accepting Joel Giambra’s money, he has shown himself as just another Giambracrat who can’t be trusted with our tax dollars,” stated Iannello.

Iannello continued by contrasting her record in the legislature with that of the Giambra administration.

“I was elected to clean up the mess Republican Joel Giambra created. In the legislature I’ve fought to reduce borrowing, rein in spending and eliminate waste. Democratic voters know they can’t afford Joel Giambra’s failed brand of politics representing them in Albany,” continued Iannello.

Iannello is in her second term in the Erie County Legislature. Before entering public service, she was a real estate paralegal and small business owner. The 61st State Senate district is made up of the Towns of Amherst, Clarence, Newstead, Tonawanda, and part of the City of Tonawanda in Erie County and all of Genesee County. The incumbent, Senator Mary Lou Rath has decided to retire at the end of her term.

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