ALBANY – Independence gubernatorial candidate Tom Golisano could face criminal charges after a judge ruled yesterday that he illegally funded the campaign of a former running mate.
Albany State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Keegan ruled that the upstate billionaire’s “loan” of $500,184 to the ill-fated lieutenant-governor campaign of Dan Mahony was an illegal contribution far in excess of the $4,900 legal limit.
Lawyers for Golisano contended that since Mahony – who was indicted last week on double-voting charges – dropped his bid to win the Conservative Party nomination for lieutenant governor before the Sept. 10 primary, he was not bound to repay the loan.
But Keegan said he was referring his finding to the state Board of Elections.
“What the board can do is conduct an investigation to determine if there are grounds for criminal action,” said board spokesman Todd Valentine.
Golisano spokesman Roger Stone called the ruling “hopelessly politicized” and vowed to “take this to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary.”