Cuomo picks Singas for Schneiderman probe, Dems say Rice considers running for attorney general

Rebecca Klar
Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas will lead the investigation into allegations made about the New York State Attorney General, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Madeline Singas via Twitter)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas will lead the investigation into allegations of physical abuse four women made against former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Schneiderman resigned from the position on Monday night following a New Yorker article that reported the alleged abuse. He denies the allegations.

In a letter, Cuomo said Singas is qualified for the job as the former head of the Special Victims’ Bureau at the Nassau County district attorney’s office and the founding member of the Domestic Violence Bureau at the Queens County district attorney’s office.

“She has specific and extensive expertise in this area,” Cuomo said.

In a statement Singas, a Manhasset resident, said she will “vigorously investigate the allegations for which jurisdiction has been granted.”

Singas also said she will not accept any appointment to be attorney or seek election to the post.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced on Tuesday that the Legislature is accepting applications to fill the vacancy.

Interviews will be held next Tuesday by a bipartisan, bicameral committee; the state Senate majority declined to participate, the announcement states.

Both Heastie and Gov. Andrew Cuomo called on Schneiderman to resign after the allegations surfaced.

Democratic officials are already floating names of potential contenders in the race for attorney general.

Among them are U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City).

Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs said Rice is “definitely giving it consideration,” referring to a possible candidacy.

“We’re going to wait to see what she decides, but my guess is that she may well decide to run,” Jacobs said.

Another Democratic source said the congresswoman is “looking at it closely.”

Rice lost to Schneiderman in a primary election for attorney general in 2010.

Rice finished second in the five-way Democratic primary, losing to him by 2.5 percentage points, according to New York state Board of Elections records.

Rep. Kathleen Rice may run for New York State attorney general, according to Democratic sources.
(Photo courtesy of Rep. Kathleen Rice via Twitter)

Before winning her congressional race against Hempstead Town Councilman Bruce Blakeman in 2014, Rice served as Nassau County district attorney.

She was the first woman to hold the position when she won her 2005 election.

If elected attorney general, Rice would be the first woman to hold the state title, too.

Robert Zimmerman, a Democratic national committeeman, said Rice would be an outstanding attorney general.

Zimmerman also said the congresswoman is “our strongest candidate,” noting both her record of public service and political success.

In Rice’s first district attorney election she beat a 31-year GOP incumbent, Denis Dillon.

“She brings the great experience of being Nassau County district attorney and United States congresswoman,” Zimmerman said. “And in addition to her government record of success she has shown the ability to win in tough elections and in Republican communities.”

Jacobs said if Rice decides to run, she definitely has a chance in a primary.

Currently, Rice faces no contenders in her bid for re-election in November and has raised more than $830,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove), has also been discussed as a potential candidate for attorney general.

Efforts to reach Lavine were unavailing.

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach), is another Long Island Democrat some have said could be considering a run.

Alexandra Farbenblum, Kaminsky’s director of communications, said “the senator is focused on his work on behalf on Long Islanders.”

Four former girlfriends of Schneiderman allege he repeatedly hit them, often in bed and after he had been drinking, according to the New Yorker.

In a statement on Twitter, Schneiderman said, “In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in non-consensual sex, which is a line I would not cross.”

On May 1, the National Institute of Reproductive Health honored Schneiderman, a vocal proponent for the #MeToo movement, as one of three 2018 Champions of Choice award winners.

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