Liz Joy, who ran in NY-21 special election that didn't happen, says fellow candidate Constantino has defamed her
Apr. 14—Anthony Constantino, one of the more prominent candidates who sought the Republican nod for the special election to replace Rep. Elise M. Stefanik that was scrapped last month, has been hit with a cease and desist letter over his public comments about another candidate.
On Friday, Constantino shared the full text of a cease and desist letter sent to his communications director from lawyers representing Elizabeth "Liz" Joy, who was another prominent name in the search for the GOP nominee. Joy's lawyer, Tom Armstrong of the Buffalo firm Gerber, Ciano, Kelly and Brady, detailed four separate remarks or publications from Constantino or an agent on his behalf that they claimed were "defamatory and provably false."
Those comments include a Facebook comment from March 18 where Constantino alleged that Joy had taken donations in her previous campaigns for Congress in NY-20 around Albany while expecting to lose the race; a Facebook comment from March 19 that made the same assertions and accused her of "defrauding the voters;" another Facebook post where he said he had a recording of a radio show where Joy admitted to taking donations while expecting to lose; and finally a paid publication in the Schenectady Daily Gazette from Constantino's communications director that repeated the allegations again.
Constantino, who runs an international sticker manufacturing and printing company from Amsterdam, Montgomery County, was a firebrand in the monthslong ramp up to the anticipated election. While the 15 county chairs in north country were the ones who would ultimately pick the nominee, Constantino focused on meeting the voters and getting name recognition, running advertisements, events and even a cage fighting match to amplify his profile in the district.
He regularly criticized the other nominees in the race, variously accusing the more prominent names that were floated of being positioned against President Donald J. Trump, political opportunists, ladder-climbers or flatly unqualified. That talk worried some of the GOP chairs tasked with making the pick, and fostered a frosty relationship between Constantino and local party operations.
When reached for comment, Joy's attorney said the comments leveled at her by Constantino are provably false, and they expect to go to court over the issue.
"This is going to be a case for the judge or jury to determine," Armstrong said. "It's our opinion these statements are demonstrably false and they're going to be proven in court."
In the cease and desist letter, Armstrong requested that Constantino immediately stop sharing comments about Joy, remove or move to have those comments and article taken down, and within 10 days make a formal apology on Facebook and in the Schenectady Gazette recanting his statements. If those terms weren't met, the letter states that Joy is entitled to compensation and intends to pursue "all legal remedies".
Joy sent a statement maintaining that her campaigns have always been earnest efforts to win.
"I have always worked hard and honorably to serve my community, our state and nation," she said. "I have done that in many capacities, including two congressional campaigns in the 20th District. I am also grateful to have been a top contender in consideration for the NY-21 special election last month, before Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's nomination was pulled by President Trump. I love New York and especially New Yorkers. I want the next generation to have a great future in our country and here in our beautiful state."
But Constantino maintains his messaging was not off-base, that he was simply defending his position and making the case that he was the best pick among the nominees on offer for NY-21 Republicans.
In a post on social media sharing the cease and desist letter, Constantino addressed Joy directly.
"Liz, you're a 'public figure' who tried 3 times to profit off politics," he said. "This moronic attempt to silence me for sharing my opinion is the latest example of Liz's 'loser' mentality. How stupid are you to send lawyers after me for critiquing your candidacy?"
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