Alesi Drops Lawsuit

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Rochester N.Y-New York Senator Jim Alesi has withdrawn his lawsuit against the owners and builders of a home under construction.

Monday night he released this statement, “Recently, I filed a personal injury lawsuit for injuries I sustained on a home construction site nearly three years ago. I filed the suit without regard to the anxiety that it would cause the homeowners, the builders or the community where we live, and I’m sorry for that. With that in mind, I’ve decided to withdraw the lawsuit and hopefully move on and do the job I was elected to do.”

Prior to the dropped lawsuit Monroe County Republicans distanced themselves from colleague Alesi.

Republican chairman Bill Reilich released a scathing statement this afternoon, concluding with this: “Senator Alesi needs to drop this irresponsible lawsuit, apologize and get to work at rebuilding the shattered trust of his constituents.”

Callers flooded Bob Lonsberry’s talk show again today. On Twitter, the senator’s last name has become a trending theme, with people writing in to lambaste Alesi from across the country. Blogs and newspapers have continued the criticism, with the NY Daily News going so far as to say, in a morning editorial, “Remember the old joke about the kid who murdered his parents, then pleaded for mercy on grounds of being an orphan? To that category of outrageously brazen legal claims must now be added a true-life lawsuit filed by state Sen. James Alesi, a Republican from the Rochester area.”

Senator Alesi apparently took down his facebook page Monday and his offices have been flooded with phone calls.

13 WHAM News made multiple attempts Monday to get in touch with Senator Alesi. He did not respond to phone calls and a text message.

Statement from Monroe County Republican Chairman Bill Reilich
Reilich denounces the actions of Senator Jim Alesi
 
I am outraged by the recent lawsuit being brought about by Senator Jim Alesi.  While no doubt the Senator suffered physical trauma, I stand with the countless number of everyday citizens as well as party faithful who believe that his recent decision is unacceptable. The homeowners in this situation decided against dragging their elected official into a legal matter and let the statute of limitations expire on the charge of trespassing.  Imagine their shock when they learned that their Senator did not turn the other cheek and accept personal responsibility for the obvious accident that occurred.
 
As Republican Chairman my main responsibility is to promote and support our Republican ideals and values.  Lower taxes, less government interference and placing emphasis on fostering an environment which is conducive to business growth are all key philosophies supported by Republicans.  In many cases these core principals are what separates us from the other political parties.  However, I believe another critical issue that we also embody is personal responsibility, not only as Republicans, but as neighbors and residents of our great County.
 
While Senator Alesi is clearly calling this situation a “personal matter” I must disagree.  As an elected official, the public justifiably holds us to a higher standard, we must guard the trust they place in each of us. Therefore, I must publicly denounce Senator Alesi’s decision to move forward with this lawsuit and ask that he reconsider his position and accept this incident as an unfortunate accident. 
 
Senator Alesi needs to drop this irresponsible lawsuit, apologize and get to work at rebuilding the shattered trust of his constituents.

http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Alesi-Drops-Lawsuit/JQuwqlI88UijOHoLHO3SyQ.cspx