Willis Stephens
Encyclopedia
Willis “Will” Stephens Jr. (born 1955) was a politician
that represented the 99th District in the New York State Assembly
. After serving in the Assembly for twelve years, Stephens was defeated in the September 2006 primary
by Assemblyman Greg Ball
and lost the Republican nomination. He was one of only three Republicans in the Assembly to be endorsed by Planned Parenthood
. Stephens, his wife, Ginny, and their three children reside in Brewster, New York
.
which encompasses the municipalities of Patterson
, Mahopac
, Carmel
, Southeast
, Putnam Lake
and Brewster
, in Putnam County
; Yorktown
, Lake Mohegan
, Somers
and North Salem
in Westchester County
; and Pawling
in Duchess County
. His family held the seat nearly continuously for eighty years: his grandfather, D. Mallory Stephens, held this seat from 1926 to 1952; his father, Willis Stephens Sr., held the seat from 1953 to 1982; and Stephens himself served from 1995 to 2006.
Stephens is a member of the law firm of Stephens and Charbonneau, in Brewster, New York. He was awarded a Juris Doctor
degree from St. John's University
school of Law in 1980 and received a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Cornell University
in 1977.
Stephens served on on the Ways and Means
, Rules
, and the Judiciary Committee
s. The former Assemblyman has drawn heavy criticism from conservative
groups due to his endorsements from traditionally liberal leaning organizations such as the CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association)
, AFL-CIO
(American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations), New York State United Teachers
(NYSUT), Planned Parenthood
, and EANY (Environmental Advocates of New York). While serving as a member of the Assembly Ethics
Committee, Stephens was cited by watchdog groups after using campaign contributions for personal expenses, including a clown
for a children's party.
For the first time since taking office in 1994, Stephens was involved in a heated primary
campaign
for the Republican nomination in the 99th Assembly District
mounted by opponent Greg Ball—a retired Air Force
Captain put on the ballot by the submission of about 1800 petition signatures.
On September 12, 2006, in the Republican
Primary for New York's 99th District, Ball defeated Stephens with 71.14% (4,750 votes) to 28.86% (1,297 votes) for Stephens, the lowest vote total for any incumbent running for reelection to the State Assembly.
Stephens claimed he had been the victim of a negative campaign, citing mailings that were distributed calling him a 'country-club liberal' and highlighting his close relationship with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
. However, Stephens himself drew criticism when he refused to repudiate a letter about challenger Greg Ball which falsely claimed Mr. Ball had received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Air Force. Stephens was also criticized heavily for not returning campaign contributions from indicted Connecticut trash magnate James Galante
.
Due to New York's electoral fusion
system, the Assemblyman had vowed to remain in the race on the Conservative
and Independence
lines. Ultimately, Stephens decided to withdraw from the race altogether, instead taking a nomination for Supreme Court Justice in Queens.
" that focuses on the community of Brewster. He thought the message was going to Beth Coursen, an aide in his Assembly district office. Instead he sent his reply to all subscribers, referring to them as pontificating idiots.
The discussion group, called "Brewster10509", has a web site describing what the list is for. Members are free to post anything that has to do with government, education, community organizations and a host of other things related to Brewster and the surrounding Town of Southeast. After realizing his mistake, he issued an apology to the users of the message board to which he said, "In fact, now I most closely resemble the type of poster I described."
Text of Stephens' email
Stephens' e-mail also included what some might consider to be offensive remarks directed towards his intended recipient, Coursen.
"If it is really hot tomorrow you are welcome to come for a swim (a suit would be appropriate :0) ..." he added. Assemblyman Stephens apologized publicly to the members of the group as well as the entire district.
and reputed mob boss James Galante
, who was in turn awarded a $1.5 million no-bid garbage contract by the town board on Stephens' recommendation.
Assemblyman Stephens refused to provide a copy of the secret memo recommending that Galante's contract be renewed for a record $1.5 million without allowing public bids even as Galante had been recently arrested under the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
(RICO), stating that "[t]hat's a legal opinion that is a matter of attorney-client privilege
. It's not subject to the New York Freedom of Information Law... it would be up to the town, not [me], whether to release the memo."
According to the Danbury News-Times, "Willis H. Stephens, Jr. has received millions of tax dollars in aggregate payments as Southeast's municipal counsel for more than ten years. In 2005 alone, Southeast taxpayers paid Stephens, Jr. an estimated $190,000 for legal work, which included legal work involving a no-bid municipal contract worth an estimated $1.5 million tax dollars to an admitted felon at that time under investigation by Federal law enforcement authorities for alleged racketeering. Although Southeast taxpayers paid Stephens, Jr. for legal work, although pertinent Southeast garbage contract negotiations ceased nearly a year ago, although Southeast taxpayers are bound today under contract terms negotiated by Stephens, Jr. and the Southeast Town Board with a major campaign contributor presently under Federal indictment for alleged racketeering, Stephens, Jr. asserts that taxpayers have no right to see his legal work."
Galante, who was previously convicted of tax evasion and arrested in June for allegedly conspiring with organized crime to prevent competition in the garbage business in Connecticut, was accused of donating to a Political Action Committee
which laundered money to several politicians who may have used their influence to award contracts to Galante's trash hauling business.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
that represented the 99th District in the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
. After serving in the Assembly for twelve years, Stephens was defeated in the September 2006 primary
State Assembly election, New York, 99th district, 2006
New York State Assembly, District 99 is located in the southern part of the State of New York in the USA. District 99 is north of New York City and is composed of parts of Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester Counties...
by Assemblyman Greg Ball
Gregory R. Ball
Gregory R. Ball is an American business executive, former active duty Air Force officer and member of the New York State Senate. He is a resident of Carmel, New York....
and lost the Republican nomination. He was one of only three Republicans in the Assembly to be endorsed by Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
. Stephens, his wife, Ginny, and their three children reside in Brewster, New York
Brewster, New York
Brewster is a village within the town of Southeast in Putnam County, New York, United States. Its population was 2,162 at the 2000 census. The village is the most densely populated portion of the town...
.
Political career and background
Assemblyman Stephens represented the 99th District of New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
which encompasses the municipalities of Patterson
Patterson, New York
Patterson is a town in Putnam County, New York, United States. The town is in the northeast part of the county. Interstate 84 passes through the southwest part of the town. The population was 11,306 at the 2000 census. The town is named after early farmer Matthew Paterson...
, Mahopac
Mahopac, New York
Mahopac, New York, is a hamlet in the Town of Carmel in Putnam County, New York. An exurb of New York City some to the south, Mahopac is located on US Route 6 on the County's southern central border with Westchester County...
, Carmel
Carmel, New York
Carmel is a town located in Putnam County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 36,465.There are no incorporated villages in the town, although the hamlets of Carmel and Mahopac each have populations sizable enough to be thought of as villages.The Town of Carmel...
, Southeast
Southeast, New York
Southeast is a town in Putnam County, New York, United States. The population was 17,316 at the 2000 census. The town is in the southeast part of the county. Interstate 84, Interstate 684, US Route 202, and US Route 6 pass through the town.- History :...
, Putnam Lake
Putnam Lake, New York
Putnam Lake is a hamlet and census-designated place located in the eastern part of the Town of Patterson in Putnam County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 3,855. Putnam Lake is adjacent to the Connecticut border, which is crossed by a number of local streets...
and Brewster
Brewster, New York
Brewster is a village within the town of Southeast in Putnam County, New York, United States. Its population was 2,162 at the 2000 census. The village is the most densely populated portion of the town...
, in Putnam County
Putnam County, New York
Putnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the lower Hudson River Valley. Putnam county formed in 1812, when it detached from Dutchess County. , the population was 99,710. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The county seat is the hamlet of Carmel...
; Yorktown
Yorktown, New York
Yorktown is a town in Westchester County, New York, in the suburbs of New York about north of midtown Manhattan. The town lies on the north border of Westchester County...
, Lake Mohegan
Lake Mohegan, New York
Lake Mohegan is a census-designated place located in the town of Yorktown in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 6,010 at the 2010 census. Locally, the area is known as Mohegan Lake, and the term "Lake Mohegan" is rarely used. However, this change dates back only to the...
, Somers
Somers, New York
Somers is a town located in northeastern Westchester County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 20,434...
and North Salem
North Salem, New York
North Salem is a town in the northeast part of Westchester County, New York, United States. The county ranks second for wealthiest counties in New York State and the seventh wealthiest county nationally...
in Westchester County
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
; and Pawling
Pawling (town), New York
Pawling is a town in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was 7,521 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Catherine Pauling, the daughter of Henry Beekman, who held the second largest land patent in the county. A misprint caused the U to change to a W and the name...
in Duchess County
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
. His family held the seat nearly continuously for eighty years: his grandfather, D. Mallory Stephens, held this seat from 1926 to 1952; his father, Willis Stephens Sr., held the seat from 1953 to 1982; and Stephens himself served from 1995 to 2006.
Stephens is a member of the law firm of Stephens and Charbonneau, in Brewster, New York. He was awarded a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from St. John's University
St. John's University (New York City)
St. John's University is a private, Roman Catholic, coeducational university located in New York City, United States. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1870, the school was originally located in the borough of Brooklyn in the neighborhood of Bedford–Stuyvesant...
school of Law in 1980 and received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1977.
Stephens served on on the Ways and Means
United States House Committee on Ways and Means
The Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committees unless they apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership...
, Rules
United States House Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules, or Rules Committee, is a committee of the United States House of Representatives. Rather than being responsible for a specific area of policy, as most other committees are, it is in charge of determining under what rule other bills will come to the floor...
, and the Judiciary Committee
United States House Committee on the Judiciary
The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, also called the House Judiciary Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is charged with overseeing the administration of justice within the federal courts, administrative agencies and Federal law enforcement...
s. The former Assemblyman has drawn heavy criticism from conservative
American conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
groups due to his endorsements from traditionally liberal leaning organizations such as the CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association)
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is the second- or third-largest labor union in the United States and one of the fastest-growing, representing over 1.4 million employees, primarily in local and state government and in the health care industry. AFSCME is part of the...
, AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
(American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations), New York State United Teachers
New York State United Teachers
New York State United Teachers is a 600,000-member New York state teachers union, affiliated since 2006 with the American Federation of Teachers , the AFL-CIO, and the National Education Association...
(NYSUT), Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
, and EANY (Environmental Advocates of New York). While serving as a member of the Assembly Ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
Committee, Stephens was cited by watchdog groups after using campaign contributions for personal expenses, including a clown
Clown
Clowns are comic performers stereotypically characterized by the grotesque image of the circus clown's colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose, which evolved to project their actions to large audiences. Other less grotesque styles have also...
for a children's party.
For the first time since taking office in 1994, Stephens was involved in a heated primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
campaign
Political campaign
A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided...
for the Republican nomination in the 99th Assembly District
State Assembly election, New York, 99th district, 2006
New York State Assembly, District 99 is located in the southern part of the State of New York in the USA. District 99 is north of New York City and is composed of parts of Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester Counties...
mounted by opponent Greg Ball—a retired Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Captain put on the ballot by the submission of about 1800 petition signatures.
On September 12, 2006, in the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Primary for New York's 99th District, Ball defeated Stephens with 71.14% (4,750 votes) to 28.86% (1,297 votes) for Stephens, the lowest vote total for any incumbent running for reelection to the State Assembly.
Stephens claimed he had been the victim of a negative campaign, citing mailings that were distributed calling him a 'country-club liberal' and highlighting his close relationship with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
Sheldon Silver
Sheldon "Shelly" Silver is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from New York. He has held the office of Speaker of the New York State Assembly since 1994.- Personal life :...
. However, Stephens himself drew criticism when he refused to repudiate a letter about challenger Greg Ball which falsely claimed Mr. Ball had received a dishonorable discharge from the United States Air Force. Stephens was also criticized heavily for not returning campaign contributions from indicted Connecticut trash magnate James Galante
James Galante
James Galante is a convicted felon and associate of the Genovese crime family, owner of the defunct Danbury Trashers minor league hockey team, and ex-CEO of Automated Waste Disposal , a company which holds waste disposal contracts for most of western Connecticut and Westchester and Putnam counties...
.
Due to New York's electoral fusion
Electoral fusion
Electoral fusion is an arrangement where two or more political parties on a ballot list the same candidate, pooling the votes for that candidate...
system, the Assemblyman had vowed to remain in the race on the Conservative
Conservative Party of New York
The Conservative Party of New York State is an American political party active in the state of New York. It is not part of any nationwide party, nor is it affiliated with the American Conservative Party, which it predates by over 40 years....
and Independence
Independence Party of New York
The Independence Party is an affiliate in the U.S. state of New York of the Independence Party of America. The party was founded in 1991 by Dr. Gordon Black, Tom Golisano, and Laureen Oliver from Rochester, New York, and acquired ballot status in 1994...
lines. Ultimately, Stephens decided to withdraw from the race altogether, instead taking a nomination for Supreme Court Justice in Queens.
"Pontificating idiots" email
In June 2005, Stephens sent an email to a discussion group, or "listservLISTSERV
LISTSERV was the first electronic mailing list software application, consisting of a set of email addresses for a group in which the sender can send one email and it will reach a variety of people...
" that focuses on the community of Brewster. He thought the message was going to Beth Coursen, an aide in his Assembly district office. Instead he sent his reply to all subscribers, referring to them as pontificating idiots.
The discussion group, called "Brewster10509", has a web site describing what the list is for. Members are free to post anything that has to do with government, education, community organizations and a host of other things related to Brewster and the surrounding Town of Southeast. After realizing his mistake, he issued an apology to the users of the message board to which he said, "In fact, now I most closely resemble the type of poster I described."
Text of Stephens' email
Stephens' e-mail also included what some might consider to be offensive remarks directed towards his intended recipient, Coursen.
"If it is really hot tomorrow you are welcome to come for a swim (a suit would be appropriate :0) ..." he added. Assemblyman Stephens apologized publicly to the members of the group as well as the entire district.
Putnam victory fund
Stephens, who also serves as the legal counsel to the town of Southeast, New York, drew heavy criticism after accepting $9,355 from trash magnate, convicted felonFelony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
and reputed mob boss James Galante
James Galante
James Galante is a convicted felon and associate of the Genovese crime family, owner of the defunct Danbury Trashers minor league hockey team, and ex-CEO of Automated Waste Disposal , a company which holds waste disposal contracts for most of western Connecticut and Westchester and Putnam counties...
, who was in turn awarded a $1.5 million no-bid garbage contract by the town board on Stephens' recommendation.
Assemblyman Stephens refused to provide a copy of the secret memo recommending that Galante's contract be renewed for a record $1.5 million without allowing public bids even as Galante had been recently arrested under the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization...
(RICO), stating that "[t]hat's a legal opinion that is a matter of attorney-client privilege
Attorney-client privilege
Attorney–client privilege is a legal concept that protects certain communications between a client and his or her attorney and keeps those communications confidential....
. It's not subject to the New York Freedom of Information Law... it would be up to the town, not [me], whether to release the memo."
According to the Danbury News-Times, "Willis H. Stephens, Jr. has received millions of tax dollars in aggregate payments as Southeast's municipal counsel for more than ten years. In 2005 alone, Southeast taxpayers paid Stephens, Jr. an estimated $190,000 for legal work, which included legal work involving a no-bid municipal contract worth an estimated $1.5 million tax dollars to an admitted felon at that time under investigation by Federal law enforcement authorities for alleged racketeering. Although Southeast taxpayers paid Stephens, Jr. for legal work, although pertinent Southeast garbage contract negotiations ceased nearly a year ago, although Southeast taxpayers are bound today under contract terms negotiated by Stephens, Jr. and the Southeast Town Board with a major campaign contributor presently under Federal indictment for alleged racketeering, Stephens, Jr. asserts that taxpayers have no right to see his legal work."
Galante, who was previously convicted of tax evasion and arrested in June for allegedly conspiring with organized crime to prevent competition in the garbage business in Connecticut, was accused of donating to a Political Action Committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
which laundered money to several politicians who may have used their influence to award contracts to Galante's trash hauling business.
External links
- Official Homepage: Assemblyman Willis Stephens, 99th District of New York
- Official Reelect Assemblyman Willis Stephens Campaign Website
- Brewster10509 Listserv
- Project VoteSmart - Assemblymember Stephens
- Political Graveyard - Stephens Family of New York
- Legislative Voting Record for Assemblyman Stephens