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Statement From Legislature President Joe Carbone

The document discusses a statement from the Monroe County Legislature President Joe Carbone regarding calls for independent investigations into Ernest Flagler-Mitchell. Carbone supports letting the ongoing criminal investigation by the District Attorney's office and the ethical investigation by the Board of Ethics proceed without interference. He will wait for the results of these investigations before considering a legislative-led independent investigation.

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1K views2 pages

Statement From Legislature President Joe Carbone

The document discusses a statement from the Monroe County Legislature President Joe Carbone regarding calls for independent investigations into Ernest Flagler-Mitchell. Carbone supports letting the ongoing criminal investigation by the District Attorney's office and the ethical investigation by the Board of Ethics proceed without interference. He will wait for the results of these investigations before considering a legislative-led independent investigation.

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The President’s Office of the

Monroe County Legislature


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Bridget Harvey
Thursday, January 28, 2021 PHONE: (585) 753-1922

STATEMENT FROM MONROE COUNTY


LEGISLATURE PRESIDENT JOE CARBONE
Re: Calls for independent investigations into Ernest Flagler-Mitchell
As delivered at January 28, 2021 Press Conference

“As I have stated before, I want to thank Ms. Sinclair for bringing these
allegations to the Legislature's attention. I will not attempt to relate to what Ms.
Sinclair has gone through because I simply cannot, and to try and do so would
only trivialize her experience.

“As President of the Legislature, my job is to ensure Ms. Sinclair's concerns are
taken seriously and thoroughly investigated and we have done just that. There
are presently two ongoing investigations into this matter – a criminal
investigation led by the District Attorney's Office and an ethical investigation
led by the Board of Ethics.

“We need to let these independent entities do their job and conduct thorough
and impartial investigations. Anything less is an affront of the seriousness of
the allegations.

“Some have also called for an independent investigation led by the Legislature.
I support an independent investigation, but not one that would interfere with
either of the two ongoing investigations. Only once both ongoing investigations
are concluded will we know whether a legislative-led independent investigation
is warranted.

“Unfortunately, partisan-politics have already been interjected into this serious


matter. I acted expeditiously to appoint a final member to the Board of Ethics
while Democrats attempted to grand-stand on the matter. I was the only
Legislator to direct the matter to be referred to the Board of Ethics despite all
Legislators – both Republican and Democrat - receiving formal notification of
the complaint at the same time. I want to seek out the truth through a proven,
fair, and unbiased process, democrat legislators want to be judge, jury, and
executioner.

“Serious matters like this require sensitivity. I ask that going forward my
colleagues in the Legislature, regardless of party, recognize this and set politics
aside out of respect for Ms. Sinclair and the importance of the issue at hand.
Statement from Legislature President Joe Carbone
January 28, 2021
Page 2

“We have a process in place that centers around two ongoing investigations – a
criminal investigation led by the District Attorney's Office and an ethical
investigation led by the Board of Ethics. We need to respect the integrity of
both investigations and let this process play out.

“If, as a result of these investigations, it is determined that Legislator Flagler-


Mitchell committed criminal wrongdoing, then yes, I think he should resign. At
the end of the day, no one has the power to force a Legislator to resign; not the
President and not any individual Legislator. Only the voters hold that power.

“I look forward to the completion of both investigations and maintain my


position that neither the Legislature nor any Legislator should interfere with
the ongoing investigations.”

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