Ball Fires at Will
Hard-charging primary hopeful continues to bait Stephens

 

Republican candidate Greg Ball carries garbage bags during a press conference at Railroad Park in Yorktown Tuesday.

Story and photos
by Sam Barron
Surrounded by garbage bags, Greg Ball, Republican candidate for New York Assemblyman, accused incumbent Willis ("Will") Stephens, Jr. at a press conference in Yorktown August 22 of helping the town of Southeast issue a no-bid garbage contract to convicted felon James Galante.

Ken Harper, the Democratic candidate for the Assembly seat, and Mike Santos, the Democratic candidate for Putnam County executive, joined Ball at the press conference.

Ball claimed that Stephens, whose law firm is town counsel of Southeast, issued a legal opinion that recommended it renew a $1.5 million garbage contract with a firm owned by Galante.

Reputed mobster
This legal opinion, Ball says, influenced the town board of Southeast to renew Galante's contract.

Galante is a reputed mobster who has been convicted of tax evasion and was arrested in June for allegedly conspiring with organized crime to prevent competition in the garbage business in Connecticut. A criminal case is ongoing in New Haven.

Galante has donated money to a Political Action Committee (PAC), called the Putnam Victory Fund, that has donated money to Stephens' campaigns. Ball claims that Stephens has harvested $2,000 from the PAC.

"The Putnam Victory Fund acted like a legal money laundering fund," said Ball.
"His political campaign has taken $8,000. It is a conflict of interest and shows how sick New York politics are. I would ask that anyone who took money from the victory fund return it."

"Willis Stephens has used his position to award $1.5 million to a convicted felon," said Ball.
"He is in Galante's back pocket."

'Conflict of interest' charged
The fact that Stephens' law firm was legal counsel to the Southeast Town Board also angered Ball. "Willis Stephens treats this [NY Assembly] like it's a part-time job. The Assemblyman collects $130,000 while being town attorney, charging $175,000.This is a conflict of interest. He has charged the town $100,000 this year alone. I demand that Willis Stephens step down as town attorney."

Despite being on different party lines, Harper joined Ball in blasting the contract and the Putnam Victory Fund. "We have similar shared interests in ethics and open government."

"As a candidate, I'm for calling for the state to take a stronger role in this. I'm calling for the release of all relevant materials; it is time to get past this, and end the speculation about the Putnam Victory Fund," Harper said.

"I'm calling for an opportunity for people to have access to the information they need of who best serves their government. We have to eliminate the influence of money. It's got to stop. People need to know whose side these elected officials- who do they serve."

Stephens Decries Ball's
'Gutter Politics'
Stephens strongly denied any wrongdoing and called the whole thing "Greg Ball Gutter Politics."
"He's grasping for issues," said Stephens. "The contract was a three year contract with a two year option, a publicly bid contract."

"Mr. Galante's contract was the lowest bid."
Stephens said the town board's decision was to award it to the lowest possible bidder.
Stephens also laughed off claims that he was in Mr. Galante's back pocket. "I'm not in Mr. Galante's back pocket, I'm not in his side pocket."

"I don't know where he comes up with these outlandish statements."
Stephens stands by the town board of Southeast renewing the contract with Galante's firm, but thinks with all the criticism, Southeast will consider other bidders. "The town board took a hard look and with escalating gas prices, they made a reasoned determination to extend the contract."

"These indictments have come down. Rather than have further criticism, they will put it out to bid."

Denies 'conflict of interest'
Stephens rejected Ball's assertion that he is the town lawyer for Southeast. "My firm serves as counsel. I am one of three lawyers. He wants to make me out to be the lawyer, but I'm one of three. It is not a conflict of interest."

Stephens said he had nothing to do with the Putnam Victory Fund and claimed that it also donated money to Citizens United for Economic Growth, a PAC started by Ball that has come under controversy.

"He should look in the mirror," said Stephens.

Stephens returns fire
Ball has come under fire for misconduct involving his PAC, Citizens United for Ethical Growth. Stephens has charged that Ball funnelled $18,000 from the PAC into "New Yorkers on the Ball," his campaign fund. Stephens had said that Citizens United for Ethical Growth was a phony environmental group created by Ball. Ball once again vehemently denied the allegation.

"It was a PAC -- its mission was to get candidates elected. The board supported my candidacy. It's not an environmental group, it was a totally legal transfer. He knows it's legal. He's done similar transfers."

A complaint has been filed with the Board of Elections.

Ball has known about the Galante issue for a year, but has not brought it up in any previous public forums with Stephens, saying he would rather stick to the issues.

Ball did not accuse Stephens of doing anything illegal by writing the legal report, but alleges it was unethical.

The primary race between Ball and Stephens has been one of the most hotly contested races in the state, with each side seemingly having a new allegation against the other every week. The primary is set for September 12.