County Scandal May Have Local Links

When a sworn affidavit rocked the political world of Rensselaer County last week, it seemed North Greenbush would be left out. But then some astute observers informed the Pipeline that there might in fact be local links to nurture our political community’s interest.
The affidavit was filed by a former Sand Lake Supervisor who was fired from a county job working in the Majority Office of the County Legislature. Besides alleging sexual harassment by her former supervisor Richard Crist, it also describes one instance of using county time, personnel and resources to perform political work which involved, among others, County Legislator Robert Mirch. This carries potential criminal liability if proven.
Therein begins the local links. Richard Crist, aka Carl Rove, you may recall, managed to get himself on the town payroll as a “Project Coordinator” working for the former GOP led Town Board under Robert Ashe and company. Many felt he was really hired to run the failed political campaign of Mr. Ashe and his running mates, Louis Desso and Joseph Styczynski. (It is also rumored that Mr. Crist was on the payroll of Mr. Ashe’s company, Troy Sand and Gravel during this period.)
Mr. Crist and County Legislator Robert Mirch formed a political consulting company years ago called Victory Lane. Many believe it was surreptitiously run out of the Rensselaer County Office Building. The former staffer is believed to have much documentation yet to be disclosed in this regard and will likely provide the information to the Special Prosecutor.
The other local link may also be called before the Special Prosecutor to give his insights on the company’s operations, clients and finances. Former Councilman John Harkin was the accountant for Victory Lane, LLC. Mr. Harkin who is aligned with the “Reform” Democrats, is now working in our Town Assessor’s Office.We’re told, he was a frequent visitor at the County Legislature to see Mr. Crist.
What a wild and wacky world politics can be! Mr. Harkin ran against and was defeated for his Town Board seat by Mr. Ashe. Mr. Ashe hired Mr. Crist to run his campaign with Mr.’s. Desso and Styczynski. Mr. Ashe’s former opponent was paid to keep the company books. To further confuse you, Mr. Desso, (Mr.Ashe’s GOP running mate in 2005 and also a frequent visitor to the County Office Building during the that campaign) is now aligned with the “Reform” Democrats who count Mr. Crist as a consultant and friend.
It may not turn out to be as costly as Water District 14, but we just knew North Greenbush couldn’t be left on the sideline of a good scandal!
To read more on the scandal here’s a link to a site that discovered the North Greenbush Pipeline: troypolitics.blogspot.com They do a nice job detailing potential criminal charges in the scandal.Oh, by the way, Good Luck Sally!