The Political Maneuverings of Assistant DA Bill Gargan

Assistant District Attorney William Gargan has been quoted as saying, "The Judge's dismissal is an appropriate action."

No, he wasn't talking about Judge Richard Keenan's recent dismissal of all charges against former County Republican Executive Director Andrew Moore.

This happened two years ago, when Gargan, no doubt reluctantly, found himself required to prosecute Assemblyman David Gantt, after Gantt's arrest for disrupting a County Legislature meeting.  The charges against Moore were described by Judge Keenan as based on claims "bordering on the preposterous." (Judge's Opinion, page 8.)  In contrast, Gantt actually broke the law, and in front of the television cameras, for all to see.  After the dismissal of charges against Gantt, neither Gargan nor his boss, DA Mike Green, said anything about appealing, or bringing fresh charges, as they said after the Moore dismissal.  It wouldn't have served the ambitions or political agendas of either Gargan or Green.

Calling the dismissal of the Gantt charges "appropriate" was Gargan's way of currying favor with Gantt, whose influence Gargan needs to fulfill his ambition of obtaining a judgeship on the City Court or the County Court.   In 2007, Gargan had to sit by and watch, as he was passed over for the Democratic nomination for City Court, in favor of Chuck Crimi, Jr.   He didn't want to go through a similar experience again.

Meanwhile, Gargan's been papering his political credentials with cash contributions.

A contribution to his boss, DA Mike Green.   Natch.   He wants to keep his job as assistant DA.

Contributions to the Monroe County Democratic Committee –- more money for Boss Morelle -- and to Lovely Warren, a Gantt employee and City Councilwoman.  People guaranteed to be influential in determining a Democratic nomination, or influencing a Democratic Governor in the appointment to a vacancy on the County or City bench.

Which is why you give them money.   And why you call a dismissal of charges "appropriate" and punt on pursuing it, for someone like Gantt, whom you didn't want to prosecute in the first place, because you dare not offend him if you want to be a judge.   The precise opposite of what you do when you're trying to contrive a political "scandal" by indicting innocent officials in the other party, on flimsy charges and evidence a judge of your own party describes as "bordering on the preposterous."