Guldi is considering another bid for public office

This year’s anticipated four-way race for Suffolk County’s 2nd Legislative District seat, currently held by Montauk resident Jay Schneiderman, could soon grow by one controversial candidate.

Former Suffolk County Legislator George O. Guldi of Westhampton Beach, who was arrested in March on felony fraud and grand larceny charges stemming from an alleged $50 million mortgage fraud scheme targeting the East End, said this week that is he considering a run for his old seat. Mr. Guldi, a Democrat and an attorney with an office in Westhampton Beach, held the post now occupied by Mr. Schneiderman for 10 years before losing to the incumbent in 2003.

“I’m not going to be intimidated out of running,” said Mr. Guldi, explaining that he was considering such a run in February before he was arrested by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota’s office.

If he does decide to make another bid for public office, Mr. Guldi would most likely have to wage a primary election against Thomas Henry of Remsenburg, who, according to officials, is the candidate most likely to earn the endorsement of the Suffolk County Democratic Party. Mr. Henry, who has not yet received the endorsement of Democrats, worked as a legislative aide for Mr. Guldi when he held the county office, according to Mr. Guldi.

“Unlike some people, I don’t think contested races are a bad thing,” Mr. Guldi said about waging a primary election. “I think they’re a good thing.”

Richard Schaffer, the chairman of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee, did not return calls this week seeking comment.

Mr. Schneiderman, who defeated Mr. Guldi in 2003, is looking to secure his fourth two-year term of office. But unlike his previous bids, Mr. Schneiderman plans to seek reelection this year as a member of the Independence Party. He switched his party affiliation from Republican to Independence last summer, citing his unhappiness with the way his fellow GOPers were running things in Washington, D.C.

Rounding out the race are Robert Coyle of Sag Harbor, the possible Republican candidate for the legislative seat, and Susan Betzy Heckman of Westhampton, who might run on the Conservative Party line.

Dr. Henry Withers, the chairman of the Suffolk County Republican Committee, did not return calls this week.

If Mr. Guldi collects the required 500 signatures to get on the ballot, the Democratic primary race would be held on Tuesday, September 15, according to the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

If he is successful in his primary battle and goes on to win election in November, Mr. Guldi would be allowed to serve only one term. Suffolk County legislators are allowed to serve only a total of 12 years, or six terms, according to New York State election law.

Mr. Guldi recently purchased a map of Suffolk County’s 2nd Legislative District, which spans the entire South Fork and includes parts of western Brookhaven Town, and a list of registered voters in the district, according to Anita Katz, the Democratic commissioner for the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

Mr. Guldi said he has a number of volunteers now walking the streets with petitions and obtaining signatures for him. Ms. Katz said Mr. Guldi needs 500 valid signatures before Saturday, July 11. Tuesday, June 9, was the first day that candidates belonging to major parties could begin collecting signatures. Candidates seeking to run on either the Republican or Democratic party lines can file their petitions between Monday, July 13, and Thursday, July 16.

Candidates looking to run on a minor party line, like the Working Families, Independence and Green parties, can begin collecting their 500 signatures on Tuesday, July 7. They must be turned in between August 11 and 18.

Mr. Guldi said he would consider running on a minor party line regardless of whether or not he secures the Democratic nomination.

In March, Mr. Guldi was arraigned on three counts of first-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud, all felonies, in Southampton Town Justice Court. He pleaded not guilty to those charges. His last scheduled court date was June 11 but that hearing was adjourned until Tuesday, July 14, according to Renee Brathwaite with the Southampton Town Justice Court.

If he is ultimately convicted of a felony, Mr. Guldi would not be allowed to serve in elected office, according to New York State Public Officers Law. Also, Mr. Guldi would be prohibited from voting in an election.

The other defendants in the mortgage fraud scheme include Manhattan and Westhampton Beach businessman Donald MacPherson, Roslyn attorney Dustin Dente, Nassau County businessman Ethan Ellner, and Mr. MacPherson’s wife, Carrie Coakley. All pleaded not guilty to felony charges of grand larceny and scheme to defraud in court in March.

Mr. Guldi said he would not let the ongoing criminal investigation against him influence his decision to seek public office again.

“If there exists a presumption of innocence in this country, I am an innocent man,” Mr. Guldi said. “If my opponents want to claim I’m guilty until proven innocent, then they are in violation of the Constitution they’ve sworn to uphold and will be conducting a personal attack campaign.”

Mr. Schneiderman said this week that he cannot understand why Mr. Guldi would run for public office at this time, noting that he will have many court dates to attend over the next year. “I can’t imagine that he would have the time to fight the charges and serve as a legislator,” Mr. Schneiderman said.

Even if Mr. Guldi makes the November ballot, Mr. Schneiderman, who himself has not yet secured the endorsement of a major political party, remains confident that he could best his former opponent a second time. “He was a five-term incumbent, and I beat him [in 2003] because he wasn’t serving his district well,” Mr. Schneiderman said.

“As much as George may think I may be vulnerable because I don’t have a major party endorsement, I hope the public will look at my job performance,” he said. “I think people are fairly happy with county government right now.”

Mr. Guldi listed open space preservation and supporting a “cornucopia of government services” as his accomplishments. He added that the “ham-handed way” county government has been run recently has motivated him to make another run for public office.

“I would like to prevent greater fools than myself from doing the job,” Mr. Guldi said.