Erie County- Third District seat declared vacant Breaking

Just heard on WBEN that the 3rd district legislative seat currently held by George Holt has been declared vacant. George Holt recently plead quilty to two counts of Tax Fraud…

County Attorney: Holt Out As Legislator
Wednesday, January 24, 2007 07:51 PM - WBEN Newsroom

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Erie County Attorney Larry Rubin says the state’s public officers law covers both misdemanors and felonies, and that means George Holt is out as Erie County Legislator. Rubin says Holt’s seat was vacated when Holt plead guilty to two misdemanor tax fraud charges.

Rubin says there is precedent in his finding going back to state court rulings in the 1990s backing his opinion. Rubin says Holt violated his oath by filing false tax returns for his restaurant.

In a statement, Erie County Legislature Chairwoman Lynn Marinelli says it will go with Rubin’s findings, wiping out Holt’s actions on the legislature. She adds business will go on with committees realigned to cover Holt’s vacancy.

Calls to Holt and Marinelli have not been returned.