Anthony Costanza, a Republican candidate for Irondequoit Town Supervisor and former town assessor, was arraigned July 8 after being accused of committing official misconduct and violating the Irondequoit Town Code.
Costanza is charged with official misconduct, recusal and abstention and prohibition on use of municipal position for personal or private gain. Costanza represented himself in court and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to court documents, Costanza “committed an act relating to his office but constituting an unauthorized exercise of his official functions, knowing that such act was unauthorized.”
The District Attorney’s Office did not explain what they claim Costanza did.
Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley also accused Costanza of committing misconduct on or around April 9, 2024, during the time the town’s reassessments were reviewed.
After the arraignment Costanza described how these allegations were investigated in July 2024 and how he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
“As the sole town assessor, I corrected thousands of errors in property assessments, including my own. I was the only official authorized by NYS Real Property Law to make such corrections,” Costanza said. “Regarding my own home, I followed the same methodology as other properties and followed guidance from the Regional Director of NYS Office of Real Property. I exercised no discretion in correcting the illegally derived assessment of my home.”
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County. Get in touch at kweaver@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Irondequoit town supervisor candidate pleads not guilty to misconduct charges
Reporting by Kerria Weaver, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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