A federal grand jury has returned a six-count indictment against former New York State Assemblymember Joe Errigo, 79, of Conesus, NY and lobbyist Robert Scott Gaddy, 48, of Albany.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the two have been charged with conspiracy, receiving a bribe concerning programs receiving federal funds, honest services wire fraud and using a facility in interstate commerce to carry on and facilitate unlawful activity. Both men face the four charges in the indictment.
The charges carry a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Gaddy, owner of the lobbing firm Excelsior Advocates, faces two additional charges. He is accused of agreeing to pay a bribe concerning programs receiving federal funds and offering and paying a bribe concerning programs receiving federal funds.
According to this indictment and the federal complaintthat was filed last fall, federal prosecutors say the FBI identified potential corrupt acts by Gaddy and various public officials related to a redevelopment project in Rochester. As a result, the FBI began investigating the relationship between Gaddy and Errigo.
The FBI arranged for someone they were working with to approach Gaddy about paying a bribe to someone described as ‘Member A,’ a legislator other than Errigo, in order to introduce certain legislation. It is alleged that that the individual working with the FBI paid Errigo and Gaddy a total of $10,500 to obtain the introduction of proposed legislation in the state Assembly.
Gaddy was arraigned on Monday and released on certain conditions. Errigo will be arraigned on Wednesday.
Errigo lost a Republican primary for re-election in September 2018. He had represented the 133rd Assembly seat for two years after fellow Republican William Nojay killed himself in the wake of a federal indictment for embezzlement.
