Democrat Michael Scotto is calling on Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, who he is challenging for the party’s nomination in November’s election, to relinquish a campaign contribution from Anthony Bonomo, a major political donor whose malpractice insurance firm was recently linked to a federal corruption probe of former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).
“The acceptance of money from Anthony Bonomo, who is currently under federal investigation, raises serious questions about the integrity of the DA’s office under Singas’ stewardship and once again shows that she is focused on being a politician and not a prosecutor,” said Scotto, of Port Washington, in a statement. “Money is where all political corruption starts. This contribution begs the question of why the DA’s office never opened an investigation into Sen. Skelos and his son.”
According to campaign finance records, Bonomo, of Manhasset, contributed $5,000 to Friends of Madeline Singas on Dec. 31, 2014.
Update: Bonomo’s company, Physicians Reciprocal Insurers, also donated $10,000 to Friends of Madeline Singas on Dec. 31, 2014, according to campaign finance records.
A spokesman for Singas’ campaign declined a request for comment on this story.
Dean and Adam Skelos pleaded not guilty last Monday to corruption charges alleging the state senator used his political power to help his son acquire jobs, money and benefits from a developer, environmental firm and malpractice insurance company.
The insurer, which has not been officially identified, allegedly provided Adam Skelos with $100,000 from a no-show job and benefits, according to the indictment against the Skeloses.
But Physicians Reciprocal Insurers, which is the second largest medical malpractice firm in the state and is run by Bonomo, issued an emailed statement to Newsday saying: “We are aware that the U.S. Attorney is investigating Dean Skelos and his son Adam. PRI is cooperating with the U.S. Attorney and has no further comment at this time.”
Campaign finance records show the Bonomo family contributed more than $800,000 to candidates in the 2014 election cycle, including Skelos, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Bonomo in April was tapped by Cuomo to head the New York Racing Association, but took a leave of absence on June 3 — days before Saturday’s Belmont Stakes — amid the recent developments involving his company and Skelos.
“I do not want to have recent events distract from the ongoing work of NYRA,” Bonomo wrote to Cuomo, according to published reports. “I wish you and the NYRA continued success.”
Singas, also of Manhasset, who received the Nassau County Democratic Committee’s endorsement in mid May, raised $411,221.37 and had $28,814 in expenses as of January’s campaign finance filing, the most recent filing date.
Scotto, a former assistant district attorney in New York City who officially announced his candidacy in early May, had raised $6,400 and had $11,880 in expenses, according to campaign finance records.
