Syracuse, NY - A federal judge in Rochester has rejected a Syracuse lawyer's request to force Gov. David Paterson to hold a prompt special election to fill the seat of former U.S. Rep. Eric Massa. U.S. District Judge David Larimer's ruling leaves intact Paterson's decision to hold the special election on Nov. 2, Election Day. Lawyer John Cirando has...
John CirandoU.S. District Judge David Larimer's ruling leaves intact Paterson's decision to hold the special election on Nov. 2, Election Day.
Lawyer John Cirando has contended that leaves the residents of the 29th District in the Southern Tier without congressional representation until early January. Cirando is representing three Southern Tier residents who filed the federal lawsuit seeking to compel Paterson to hold an earlier special election.
Massa, a Democrat, resigned in March after a male aide accused him of sexual harassment. Massa initially cited health as the reason for his resignation, then claimed party leaders forced him out due to his opposition to health care reform and then admitted tickling the aide at a birthday party.