Paladino operative indicted for theft

John Haggerty, a New York City political operative hired by gubernatorial Carl Paladino to manage his petition drive, has been indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance for theft from the Michael Bloomberg’s 2009 re-election campaign, according to multiple media reports.




The felony charges stem from Haggerty’s use of $1.1 million in campaign funds in setting up an apparent sham company to encourage Queens residents to vote.



Paladino, a Buffalo developer and a favorite of tea-party activists, hired Haggerty last month to coordinate his statewide petitioning drive to gain a spot on the Republican primary ballot in September. Paladino is also seeking a spot on the ballot as an independent candidate.



When reporters first questioned Paladino in June about the hiring of Haggerty, Paladino defended him. Today, Paladino campaign manager Michael Caputo wasn’t budging.



“Unlike a typical career politician, Carl Paladino doesn’t throw his friends under the bus,” Caputo said in a statement. “John Haggerty joined our campaign just 45 days ago and he quickly became a part of our family. He’s a loyal and straightforward man of character. And, like all Americans, he enters this investigation with the presumption of innocence. We are satisfied with John’s version of events and he will remain on our team in his present capacity.”