Willis Stephens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly from the99th district | |
| In office 1995–2006 | |
| Preceded by | Vincent Leibell |
| Succeeded by | Gregory R. Ball |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1955-11-22)November 22, 1955 (age 70) Brewster, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Ginny Stephens |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Cornell University (BA) St. John's University (JD) |
Willis "Will"Stephens Jr. (born November 22, 1955) is an American attorney and formerpolitician who represented the99th district in theNew York State Assembly. After serving in the Assembly for twelve years, Stephens was defeated in the September 2006 primary by AssemblymanGreg Ball and lost the Republican nomination. He was one of only three Republicans in the Assembly to be endorsed byPlanned Parenthood.[1]
Stephens was born inBrewster, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and political studies fromCornell University and aJuris Doctor from theSt. John's University School of Law.[2]
Stephens served on theWays and Means,Rules, and theJudiciary Committees. The former Assemblyman has drawn heavy criticism fromconservative groups due to his endorsements from traditionally liberal leaning organizations such as theCSEA (Civil Service Employees Association),AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations),New York State United Teachers (NYSUT),Planned Parenthood, and EANY (Environmental Advocates of New York).[3] While serving as a member of the AssemblyEthics Committee, Stephens was cited bywatchdog groups after using campaign contributions for personal expenses, including aclown for a children's party.[4]
On September 12, 2006, in theRepublican Primary for New York's 99th district, Ball defeated Stephens with 71.14% (4,750 votes) to 28.86% (1,297 votes) for Stephens, the lowest vote total for any incumbent running for reelection to the State Assembly.[5]
Stephens claimed he had been the victim of a negative campaign, citing mailings that were distributed calling him a 'country-club liberal' and highlighting his close relationship with Assembly SpeakerSheldon Silver. However, Stephens himself drew criticism when he refused to repudiate a letter about challenger Greg Ball which falsely claimed Ball had received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Air Force. Stephens was also criticized heavily for not returning campaign contributions from indicted Connecticut trash magnateJames Galante.[6]
Due to New York'selectoral fusion system, the Assemblyman had vowed to remain in the race on theConservative andIndependence lines. Ultimately, Stephens decided to withdraw from the race altogether, instead taking a nomination for Supreme Court Justice in Queens.[7]
In June 2005, Stephens sent an email to a discussion group, or "listserv" that focuses on the community of Brewster. He thought the message was going to Beth Coursen, an aide in his Assembly district office.[8] Instead he sent his reply to all subscribers, referring to them as pontificating idiots.[9]
The discussion group, called "Brewster10509", has a web site describing what the list is for. Members are free to post anything that has to do with government, education, community organizations and a host of other things related to Brewster and the surrounding Town of Southeast.[10] After realizing his mistake, he issued an apology to the users of the message board to which he said, "In fact, now I most closely resemble the type of poster I described."[11]
Text of Stephens' email[12]
Re: Comments on Stephens Campaign Website
more interesting crap.
I'm "on" 10509 to monitor what is going on in Brewster. I do not post anymore. Just watching the idiots pontificate. Keeping informed is important and it also gives me a window to whatGB and some of his supporters are thinking.
Let me know how you think we should proceed with the website. I'd like to get it up and running before too long and don't want to hurt Michele and Jay ... I like them and they are talented. Maybe a collaboration of some sort? I'll let you be my guide.
What's the scuttlebutt on the election ... is Hauser circulating a Conservativepetition ... are you going to do an opportunity to ballot on the "D" line? How about an independent line ... like the Save Pawling Party or "Chicks with Balls Party" or some such thing?
If it is really hot tomorrow you are welcome to come for a swim (a suit would be appropriate :0 ) ... I don't think I'm around this weekend for Guinans ... sounds like a blast though.
Got pozzi's announcement in the AM and then its back to the Law Office ... I feel like I've been away for a month!
Later,
Will
Assemblyman Stephens apologized publicly to the members of the group as well as the entire district.[13]
Stephens, who also serves as the legal counsel to the town ofSoutheast, New York, drew heavy criticism after accepting $9,355 from trash magnate, convictedfelon and reputed mob bossJames Galante, who was in turn awarded a $1.5 million no-bid garbage contract by the town board on Stephens' recommendation.[14]
Assemblyman Stephens refused to make public a copy of the secret memo recommending that Galante's contract be renewed for a record $1.5 million without allowing public bids even as Galante had been recently arrested under the FederalRacketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), stating that "[t]hat's a legal opinion that is a matter ofattorney–client privilege. It's not subject to the New York Freedom of Information Law ... it would be up to the town, not [me], whether to release the memo."[15]
According to theDanbury News-Times, "Willis H. Stephens, Jr. has received millions of tax dollars in aggregate payments as Southeast's municipal counsel for more than ten years. In 2005 alone, Southeast taxpayers paid Stephens, Jr. an estimated $190,000 for legal work, which included legal work involving a no-bid municipal contract worth an estimated $1.5 million tax dollars to an admitted felon at that time under investigation by Federal law enforcement authorities for alleged racketeering. Although Southeast taxpayers paid Stephens, Jr. for legal work, although pertinent Southeast garbage contract negotiations ceased nearly a year ago, although Southeast taxpayers are bound today under contract terms negotiated by Stephens, Jr. and the Southeast Town Board with a major campaign contributor presently under Federal indictment for alleged racketeering, Stephens, Jr. asserts that taxpayers have no right to see his legal work."[16]
Galante, who was previously convicted of tax evasion and arrested in June for allegedly conspiring with organized crime to prevent competition in the garbage business in Connecticut, was accused of donating to aPolitical Action Committee which laundered money to several politicians who may have used their influence to award contracts to Galante's trash hauling business.[17]
Stephens, his wife, Ginny, and their three children reside inBrewster, New York.[2]
| New York State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theNew York State Assembly from the91st district 1995–2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theNew York State Assembly from the99th district 2003–2006 | Succeeded by |