Council Candidate Did Time, Accused of Sex Abuse

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/Council-Candidate-Did-Time-Accused-of-Sex-Abuse-53559062.html

Political hopeful once jailed for impersonating a cop
By JENNIFER MILLMAN
Updated 11:32 AM EDT, Tue, Aug 18, 2009

The fliers advocating George Smith's candidacy for city council sure portray a cleaner image of the aspiring politician than his mug shot does.

Smith, a Republican trying to unseat Democrat Bill de Blasio in Brooklyn has spent time in jail for impersonating a cop and faces a slew of misdemeanor charges, including forcible touching, sexual misconduct, harassment and sexual abuse, according to a new report.

The sex-abuse incident allegedly happened in late December in Nassau County, officials from the District Attorney's office told The New York Post. Authorities would not release details on the charges or the identity of the victim.

Smith's lawyer, however, says the woman making the accusations is the council hopeful's estranged wife -- and the charges are the result of a continuing nasty divorce and custody fight, according to the Post. Attorney Glenn Ingoglia told the paper he was "confident" his client would be acquitted of all the charges.

Who let him off Staten Island?