Michael Cashman (Provided photo — Michael Cashman)

PLATTSBURGH — A complaint has been filed with the New York State Board of Elections against Michael Cashman, a Plattsburgh town supervisor and the Democratic candidate for the 115th Assembly District.

GOP committee Vice Chairman Jeff Luck said in a news release the complaint was filed with the state in response to Cashman “using his government office and taxpayer-funded items to hold a public political rally to announce his candidacy for state assembly.”

The committee further claimed, “it is a violation of state law and illegal to use taxpayer-funded spaces and equipment to conduct a political rally.”

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Complaint details

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In the complaint, filed by Albany attorney Adam Fusco, an investigation by the board’s Election Law Enforcement Department is sought.

The complaint stems from Cashman’s candidacy announcement in the Plattsburgh Town Hall Sept. 2.

“Mr. Cashman illegally used the government-owned Plattsburgh Town Hall for his campaign purposes. It is a violation of state law to use a government-owned building to conduct political activities,” the complaint stated.

“Further, Mr. Cashman used a podium owned by the Town of Plattsburgh at his political event. Mr. Cashman placed his election banner on said government-owned podium. Mr. Cashman also affixed to the walls of Plattsburgh Town Hall several banners displaying ‘Michael Cashman for New York State Assembly.’ As the current Town Supervisor, Cashman made this political rally indecipherable to voters and taxpayers from a legal government town hall event.”

The complaint for breaking state law will now make its way through the investigatory process in Albany, the committee said.

According to Section 99-Z of New York’s General Municipal Law, “Municipal officers or employees (are) prohibited from displaying political advertisements on public property,” and a “Political advertisement shall mean any poster, sign, flag, banner, picture, sticker, patch, bumper sticker, article of clothing, accessory or any other item meant to advertise or promote a certain individual for political office.”

Leadership response “It is disappointing, but not surprising, that Mr. Cashman thought he could hoodwink the voters of Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties – it’s a play right out of Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats’ playbook,” Luck said.

“To be so brazen about holding a political rally in a building that belongs to taxpayers — and using equipment that is funded by taxpayers – is dangerous and arrogant. Michael Cashman is just another politician who thinks he’s above the law.”

“It’s evident that Mr. Cashman either knew he was breaking state law and illegally using taxpayer dollars to hold his political rally, or he’s oblivious to common-sense practices. Either is stunning, and a demonstration his overall judgment is poor. He is not qualified to represent us in the state Assembly,” Luck continued.

“I am calling on Mr. Cashman to publicly take ownership of this gross and illegal violation of state law, to apologize to the taxpayers he represents for misusing their hard-earned money, and to repay the town back for the entire cost of his political stunt.”

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‘Distraction’

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Reached for comment Thursday, Cashman called the complaint against him “manufactured controversy.”

“Plattsburgh Town Hall has always been a place where Democrats and Republicans alike have gathered from county party meetings to local caucuses of both parties,” he said in a statement to the Press-Republican.

“The recent open press conference was talking about needs of our district, like protecting rural health care, child care, housing, broadband and more. Since then, I’ve been out in all four corners of Clinton, Franklin, and Essex counties, listening and talking with folks about what really matters. This complaint is nothing but a distraction. The people of the North Country can distinguish political noise and they expect their leaders to stay focused on results, not manufactured controversy.”

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Special election

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Cashman will be facing off against Republican candidate Brent Davison, a former New York State Police major, for the 115th assembly district seat in the special election Nov. 4.

Cashman was picked to be the Democratic candidate by the party committee chairs of Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties late last month. Cashman also received bipartisan support from those who previously held the 115th district seat, including former Assemblymembers Janet Duprey, who was a Republican when she was in office, and Billy Jones, a Democrat, at his candidacy announcement Sept. 2.

“The youngest elected supervisor of the town of Plattsburgh, Michael redefined local governments with a decade of balanced budgets, strategic infrastructure investments and award-winning initiatives that have built civic trust and transparency,” Duprey said then.

“Indeed, Michael has taken the town of Plattsburgh to new heights … Clinton Franklin and Essex County constituents will be well served with a leader who exemplifies extraordinary commitment to ‘doing it right.'”

Davison was officially voted on by the Republican committee chairs of Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties to be their candidate for the race Wednesday. Local support for Davison poured in Thursday morning.

“The City of Plattsburgh is proud to announce our strong endorsement of Brent Davison for the 115th New York State Assembly District,” City of Plattsburgh Republican Committee chairman David Souliere said in a statement.

“As a lifelong Clinton County resident, and retired New York State Police Major, with nearly three decades of dedicated service including as Troop B Commander, Brent brings proven leadership, integrity, and a strong commitment to public safety that is desperately needed in Albany!”

Souliere added that “in these challenging times, Brent will fight Albany’s reckless spending, tackle the affordability/energy crisis hitting our families and small businesses hard, and champion support for our local farms/orchards, and working North Country families.”

“From Malone to Peru, to Keene, Brent knows our region well, and will stand up for the North Country against unfunded mandates, and overregulation,” he continued.

“On November 4th, let’s take back the 115th District, and send Brent Davison to Albany to represent us with strength and common sense.”