Rep. Anthony D'Esposito blasts N.Y. Times report as "partisan hit piece"
NEW YORK -- He helped lead the charge against George Santos, but Long Island Rep. Anthony D'Esposito is now on the defensive about ethical allegations.
A bombshell New York Times investigation alleges he had an affair with a married woman and then gave her a congressional job.
CBS News New York's Carolyn Gusoff has more what the impact may be on a tight congressional race.
"Political tabloid garbage"
D'Esposito calls the newspaper's story "nothing more than a slimy, partisan hit piece." The exposé claims the Republican congressman was having an affair with a married woman while he ran for the House of Representatives, then briefly put her on his congressional payroll, and also put on the payroll the daughter of his long time fiancée.
Democrats say they're not the ones behind the revelations so close to D'Esposito's reelection bid.
"This is a lover scorned. It's salacious, but that's not the worst of it. It's using taxpayer money to put your relatives' loved ones on the payroll," New York State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs said.
D'Esposito helped lead the charge against disgraced former Rep. Santos' ethical violations. No one is saying the hiring broke laws, but Congress bars nepotism and sexual relationships with subordinates.
"The basics of ethics is that public office is a public trust. No public office is supposed to be a family business, and your constituents and taxpayers are supposed to be able to trust that you are using their money representing them solely in their interest," said Dan Schwager, a congressional ethics attorney.
In a statement, D'Esposito didn't deny the affair, but called the report "political tabloid garbage," adding, "My personal life has never interfered with my ability to deliver results for New York's 4th District, and I have upheld the highest ethical standards of personal conduct."
Democratic opponent Laura Gillen chimes in
In what was already a tight rematch for the control of the congressional district, Democratic candidate Laura Gillen has called the allegations very serious and has demanded a further investigation, adding, "It's clear that Anthony D'Esposito has abused his power in every position of trust he's ever held."
Joseph Cairo, the chairman of the Nassau County Republican Committee, called the piece baseless mud-slinging heaped on a respected member of Congress.
"Indeed, Congressman Anthony D'Esposito refuses to be distracted from his mission of fixing the border crisis and providing real tax relief for Long Islanders. Meanwhile, his opponent proposed hiking town taxes, and she was the only vote against a Hempstead town tax cut. No wonder voters who want lower taxes and safer communities support Anthony D'Esposito for Congress," Cairo added.
Will voters on Long Island care?
Political consultant Michael Dawidziak doesn't think the report will sway voters at the ballot box.
"Since Gary Hart and Donna Rice, and Bill Clinton and Gennifer Flowers and Monica Lewinsky, and Stormy Daniels, I don't think anyone is shocked by this or in the end when they vote it affects how they vote," Dawidziak said.
In the Town of Hempstead, where D'Esposito got his political start, patronage has long been a part of the legendary Republican machine, but constituents don't seem vexed by an extramarital affair, either.
"Doesn't seem to; otherwise, the Republican nominee wouldn't be the Republican nominee," one person said.
"No, not at all. None of my business really," another person said, when asked if the allegations bother them.
"Of course it bothers you. It's corruption. What's her qualification for the job?" another person added.