Astorino and challenger sling mud as Election Day approaches

<p>George Latimer, candidate for Westchester County executive, says if the allegations are true then County Executive Rob Astorino should step down.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 27, 2017, 2:28 AM

Updated 2,379 days ago

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Westchester executive candidate George Latimer called on Rob Astorino to resign during a news conference in White Plains Friday following corruption allegations that surfaced during a trial in Manhattan Federal Court. 
Democratic state Sen. Latimer called for a federal probe of his opponent after Astorino was accused of a "pay to play" scheme by former donor-turned-felon Jona Rechnitz – who testified he bought Astorino a Rolex watch and made campaign donations in exchange for favors.
"These are accusations that represent bribery, that represent pay for play and a level of illegality with a convicted felon," said Latimer. 
Astorino calls the charges nonsense. He went as far as to show News 12 the receipt where he paid about $2,000 for the used watch. 
"George Latimer is a pathetic tax deadbeat who will stop at nothing to take the spotlight off his trainwreck of personal and financial liabilities," Astorino charged in a statement. 
Astorino says Latimer has not paid property taxes for a home in Rye that his wife inherited and has ignored parking tickets. 
Latimer has denied owing back taxes on the Rye home.


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