SUBPOENA COLADA

Thousands flocked to Troy last week for the annual serving of the subpoenas. No serious injuries were reported.

A little background: "Subpoena" is from the Middle English, 'subpenna', which came from the Latin, subpoena. The literal meaning is, "under poena." Poena was the Roman goddess of punishment as well as the patron goddess of proctologists. Poena weighed a reputed 450lbs and if a command of the court was ignored, the person was thrown under Poena, causing them to suffocate.

Anywho, the subpoenas were served on the Board of Election seeking the campaign filings of Troy Civil Court Judge Matthew Turner, City Council President Henry Bauer, former Nassau Town Supervisor Carol Sanford, county Legislator Martin Reid, Troy Councilman Mark Wojcik, Troy council candidate Wayne Foy, former Sand Lake Town Board candidate Jeanie Glasser and former candidates for the county Legislature Leon Fiaco and Paul Santandera.

Many read this as an indication that those named above may be in some trouble relative to Intimigate. That may be a possibility but it is unlikely. It is certainly a rash conclusion based on the limited information available.

More than likely, the DA is just following the money trail. The money trail of who and/or what? One possibility is the selling of endorsements for minor party lines. Another other possibility (and the two are not mutually exclusive) is the purchasing of consulting services by the candidates.

Turner paid Victory Lane, the consulting firm owned by Mirch and Crist, $4,000. Turner listed that expense in his Board of Election filings. Turner also received the Conservative line. It would be interesting to know if the other candidates paid for "consulting services."

Assembly Candidate Martin Reid paid Victory Lane $1,000 in "consulting fees" during the 2006 election. So, it looks like Turner needed a lot more consultation to run a citywide campaign than Reid needed for a run for State Assembly?

Bauer and Wojcik have no disclosure records available through the Board of Election website so we don't know what, if anything, they paid to Victory Lane.

The more important point is, it looks like the District Attorney is going beyond the allegations of misuse of City of Troy resources and digging into allegations contained in Regan's second affidavit. Allegations of a far more serious nature.