State Sen. Tony Avella’s plan to introduce legislation involving his Democratic primary challenger John Liu is a misuse of taxpayer resources, Liu’s campaign charged on Wednesday.
The talk of a bill – which would give cities the right to hold candidates liable for summonses issued to their campaigns – comes as Avella argues that the city should collect $525,000 in unpaid illegal poster fines from Liu’s run for comptroller in 2009.But Liu’s team plans to file charges with the state’s joint commission on public ethics arguing that such a bill violates a number of rules – in part by using a public office to interfere with an election.
“It is absolutely shameful that Senator Avella would order the use of his governmental office and taxpayer-funded staff to go after a political opponent,” said Liu spokesman Austin Shafran.
Team Avella – which is battling to hold onto the 11th district seat in Queens – shot back that any such filing would simply be an attempt to distract from Liu’s debts.
“Deadbeat John Liu is desperately trying to divert the public’s attention from the fact that he continues to owe over $500,000 to the taxpayers of this city,” said Avella spokesman Jason Elan.