Republican Joseph Mastroianni, a failed upstate New York Assembly candidate and member of the Rotterdam Town Board, turned himself in to police after being caught on camera allegedly stealing his rival’s campaign flyer out of a resident’s mailbox and replacing it with his own. Charged with petit larceny for the switch-up, Mastroianni surrendered to the Scotia Village police. Despite his efforts to replace the messaging of Democrat and six-term incumbent Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara with his own, he lost the election on Tuesday in the 111th Assembly District covering Schenectady and Montgomery counties.
Filmed on Oct. 17 by a Ring doorbell camera, Mastroianni was seen removing a political mailer from a mailbox, pocketing it, and replacing it with one of his campaign flyers. In the clip, he slyly said, “Bad, bad, bad,” while a woman laughed behind him. The homeowner noticed the missing Santabarbara campaign flyer through the post office’s informed mail delivery emails and reported the theft to the authorities. Mastroianni could potentially face federal charges for stealing mail, which is a federal felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
The Scotia Village Police Department was alerted to the alleged theft by Schenectady County Democratic Committee chairman Frank Salamone. Salamone filed complaints with various agencies, including the US Postal Service, the state Board of Elections, the state police, and the Schenectady County Sheriff, providing them with the homeowner’s Ring camera footage of the incident. He called on Mastroianni to resign from his position on the Rotterdam Town Board, citing the clear evidence of his misconduct and disrespect for the public. Mastroianni did not immediately respond to requests for comments about the incident and the charges filed against him.
Salamone, who is also an attorney, emphasized the seriousness of the situation and the need for accountability. He stated that Mastroianni’s actions, captured on camera, demonstrate his disregard for the public and his role as a representative of the Town of Rotterdam. Salamone highlighted the importance of having someone who is not an unapologetic thief represent the town and called for Mastroianni to step down from his position. The incident not only raised legal concerns surrounding the theft of mail but also questioned the integrity and ethics of elected officials in the community.
The footage showing Mastroianni committing the alleged theft sparked outrage and condemnation from local leaders and residents. The incident called into question the character and judgment of Mastroianni, highlighting issues of dishonesty and deceit in political campaigning. The impact of such actions on the democratic process and the trust between candidates and voters cannot be underestimated. The consequences of Mastroianni’s behavior may extend beyond legal repercussions to long-term damage to his reputation and future political aspirations.
In conclusion, the case of Joseph Mastroianni’s alleged theft of campaign flyers in the midst of an election campaign has raised significant concerns about ethical standards and accountability in politics. His surrender to the police, the charges filed against him, and the calls for his resignation from public office underscore the seriousness of the situation. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty, transparency, and integrity in political campaigns, and the consequences of betraying the public trust. The community and electoral system deserve representatives who uphold the highest ethical standards and respect for the rule of law.
