NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE SYRACUSE/ ONONDAGA COUNTY Post Office Box 397 Colvin Station Syracuse, New York 13205 {315} 422-6933 Hon. Charles Schumer 322 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 February 6, 2017 Dear Senator Schumer: On behalf of the members of the Syracuse/Onondaga County Chapter of the NAACP, I write to express our deep concern regarding the potential appointment of Onondaga County Comptroller Robert Antonacci as the next U.S. Attomey for the Northern District of New York. ‘As you may know, on October 7, 2015 a lawsuit was filed in federal court against Comptroller Robert Antonacci by several minority contractors for alleged discrimination and violation of their civil rights. The allegations include intimidation, abusing the power of his office and the deliberate delay of payment causing serious financial harm to the contractors. ‘The allegations against Comptroller Robert Antonacci are serious, troublesome and plentiful ‘They have already had a paralyzing effect on the great strides that have been made to support and diversify the workforce doing business in and with Onondaga County. Should these allegations prove to be true, they will have further detrimental and permanent effect on the economic progress made by the minority community. In @ city experiencing some of our nation’s worst levels of poverty, segregation and joblessness, this will surely only exacerbate the problems. ‘Comptroller Robert Antonacci has been quoted as saying, «,. More importantly it’s the tone at the top. It’s being the administrator of the office and setting the tone for the rest of the prosecutors to follow.” We could not agree more and we urge you to make sure that the tone at the top remains one that espouses fair, equal and impartial justice forall. Allowing the appointment of Robert Antonacci to proceed prior to the resolution of this lawsuit would send a clear message to the minority community that political connections and gross intolerance take priority over our civil and economic rights. If the appointment of Comptroller Robert Antonacci as U.S. Attorney for theNorthern District of New York should proceed, the greater concern is the direct interaction and conflict of interest he will have on the federal civil rights action filed against him. Ensuring equal protection and justice in our legal system is something that should bond us as ‘Americans regardless of race. While progress has been made, this issue remains alarmingly relevant with the potential appointment of Comptroller Robert Antonacci. The justice system is 00 fragile and the consequences too severe to allow anyone other than the most tolerant, honest, and ethical of candidates to be considered. Sincerely, Sophie Ebon, Linda Brown-Robinson President, Syracuse/Onondaga County Chapter NAACP Ce: Senator Charles Schumer Congressman John Katko NYS Senator John DeFrancisco NYS Senator Dave Valesky Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter Assemblyman William Magnarelli Assemblyman Al Stirpe Assemblyman Gary Finch Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, New York State NAACP, President http://w syracuse.com/crime/indexssf/2017/01/onondaga_county_comptroller_could_be.top_federal_prose cutor_despite_lack_of_expe.html