BROOKLYN – The Supreme Court, Appellate Division, ruled on Monday that Paul Ruggiero is the winner by one vote (3,224 to 3,223) in a hotly contested Town of Newburgh Council race against Democrat Mary Lou Carolan.
Ruggiero’s attorney, Adam Fusco, said that his client’s win has been certified by the Orange County Board of Elections (BOE).
“The Appellate Court has confirmed what my client and I have known since November, that Paul Ruggiero is the rightful winner and duly elected member of the Newburgh Town Council,” Fusco said. “This result was well worth the wait.”
Last month, the BOE certified Ruggiero, a Republican, as the winner of the council race by one vote over Carolan, following litigation that has continued since November. Carolan’s attorney, Michael Treybich, filed an appeal.
Two weeks ago, Supervisor Gil Piaquadio notified Carolan that he is recognizing Ruggiero, the incumbent, as a Newburgh Town councilmember and removing her from office. The move drew criticism from Carolan’s supporters.
Two town board seats were initially won by two Democrats, Mary McLymore, who received 3,292 votes, and Carolan, who garnered 3,226 votes in November. Ruggiero finished with 3,224 votes. However, after the election, Ruggiero filed an Order to Show Cause (OSC) in Orange County Supreme Court seeking to determine the accuracy of the canvass of Carolan’s ballots in November’s election, which led to his victory.
Treybich could not be immediately reached for comment.
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