Mark A.

Sacha
Attorney at Law



August 25, 2014

VIA US MAIL
NEXT DAY DELIVERY
Eric T. Schneiderman
New York State Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
The Capital
Albany, NY 12224-0341

Dear Attorney General Schneiderman:

I read with great interest your press release of August 22, 2014 regarding the
indictment of Bruce C. Tanski, as well as other defendants in Saratoga County for
election related crimes. I agree with your statement that The law applies to
everyone equally, no matter how rich or how powerful. Such prosecutions are
essential to protecting the integrity of the election process. All New York voters
have the right to free and fair elections.

The problem here in Erie County is that election law is not enforced and
certain politically connected individuals are virtually above the law. Year after
year, the same pattern of misconduct repeats itself. Complaints are made and
nothing is done.

For years, I have battled both as a prosecutor and as a private citizen on
behalf of the citizens Erie County to no avail. In 2007 2008, as a senior prosecutor
in the Erie County District Attorneys office, I uncovered widespread election law
and penal law crimes committed in part by G. Steven Pigeon, a close political ally of
Governor Cuomo and District Attorney Sedita. When I attempted to enforce the
law, I was retaliated against and eventually fired for advising the public of Mr.
Seditas hypocrisy. Mr. Pigeon went on to be chief counsel for Pedro Espada, who is
now incarcerated and with whom you are very familiar.

During the 2013 election cycle, the pattern of election illegality by Pigeon and
his allies repeated itself. An entity was created in part by Pigeon called WNY
Progressive Caucus. Within weeks, over one-quarter of a million dollars was
funneled to a slate of local candidates, most of whom did virtually no fundraising. I
personally, along with others investigated campaign finance reports and media





buys. It became apparent that more was spent than was accounted for in the
campaign reports. After interviewing witnesses who volunteered information, it
was apparent that there was widespread coordination between WNY Progressive
Caucus and the actual campaigns.

As a result, on October 9, 2013, I made a formal complaint regarding WNY
Progressive Caucus to the Moreland Commission and the New York State Board of
Elections. On September 24, 2013, I had traveled to Albany and gave a written
statement and oral testimony before the Moreland Commission. Corresponding
complaints regarding WNY Progressive Caucus were made by Erie County
Legislators Betty Jean Grant and Timothy Hogues. No response was ever given by
the Moreland Commission and the scheduled hearing in Buffalo was cancelled.

Since that time, I have continued my inquiries regarding this matter. From a
review of public documents and my own inquiries, it is my understanding that the
Board of Elections is actively investigating WNY Progressive Caucus. Mr. Pigeon
has admitted to discrepancies in his public statements. I have reason to believe
that there is evidence of substantial violations of the election law and penal law. It
is my understanding that the amounts involved would dwarf those in the Tanski
indictment. I believe that there is widespread evidence that tens of thousands of
dollars are unaccounted for. It is my belief that there is evidence of straw donors
and coordination between WNY Progressive Caucus and the actual candidates.
Buying Time LLC made the media buys for WNY Progressive Caucus.

Time is running and I am concerned that politics will again trump justice. It
is imperative that a non-conflicted prosecutor become involved in a timely fashion.

When I made my public statement in 2009, I stated that it is easy to
prosecute the powerless. The real test is when you are asked to investigate the
powerful. I respectfully request that you do so in this matter.

Very truly yours,

Mark A. Sacha

Mark A. Sacha, Esq.
5406 Broadway, #288
Lancaster, NY 14086