New City, NY — 4/27/2026… This morning, counsel for Lawler for Congress filed a summation in the New York State Supreme Court, Rockland County, laying out the case that Democratic congressional candidate Effie Phillips-Staley’s designating petition is so permeated with fraud that it must be invalidated in its entirety.

“This is fraud, on the record, in open court, by the campaign of a candidate for US Congress,” said Ciro Riccardi, campaign manager for Lawler for Congress. “Voters have taken the stand and testified that their signatures were forged. Twenty-seven more are submitting sworn affidavits saying the same thing. The candidate herself signed the contract, was present when the petition was bound, and didn’t bother to review a single page. The voters of NY-17 deserve a primary contest decided by real signatures from real people.” 

The filing, submitted by attorney James P. Curran, documents the following on the record:

• All parties have stipulated that 829 signatures collected by six different subscribing witnesses on Phillips-Staley’s petition are invalid.
• Three voters have already testified, under oath, that their signatures were forged. One of them, Frank Capuano, was away at college in Ithaca on the date he supposedly signed. Another, Lisa Locatelli, testified that the forger got her apartment number wrong and listed an address on the line above hers that does not exist.
• The campaign is preparing to submit 27 additional sworn affidavits from voters whose signatures were forged onto the petition — affidavits that directly contradict sworn statements from Phillips-Staley’s own subscribing witnesses, who claimed under oath to have personally watched every voter sign. 
• The six subscribing witnesses in question accounted for 95 sheets — roughly a quarter of the entire petition.
• Phillips-Staley personally signed a contract with the firm Bartholomew Communications to produce 1,600 signatures, more than half of the total she submitted. According to testimony, the campaign performed only a “cursory review” before binding and filing the petition, and not a single page was pulled for fraud.
• One subscribing witness, Dion McBean, recorded 127 signatures in a single day of door-knocking — a figure the filing notes any experienced campaign worker would recognize as wildly improbable, and well beyond the 8-per-shift expectation laid out in Phillips-Staley’s own contract with Bartholomew.

“We are asking the Court to do what the law requires and invalidate this petition in its entirety,” concluded Riccardi.

The court is scheduled to resume proceedings this morning. The full summation has been filed on NYSCEF and is available HERE.

All NYSCEF documents related to 032794/2026 can be found HERE.

Full minutes of the April 20 pretrial conference and the April 22 and April 24 evidentiary hearings are available at HERE. 

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Pearl River, NY – 4/24/2026… Democratic congressional candidate Effie Phillips-Staley’s campaign canvassers refused to comply with Acting Supreme Court Justice David Fried’s judicial subpoenas and have now been commanded to appear in court on Monday, April 27. 

One of the canvassers, Dion McBean — responsible for hundreds of the signatures the campaign has now conceded are fraudulent — cannot be located and is not responding to the Effie Phillips-Staley campaign. Summations are expected on Monday following the testimony of the final witnesses.

“Let’s call this what it is: Effie’s accused fraudsters are refusing to show up in court because they can’t hold up under cross-examination on how and why they submitted hundreds, if not thousands, of fraudulent signatures in her designating petitions,” said Lawler Campaign Manager Ciro Riccardi.

Phillips-Staley formally stipulated in Rockland County Supreme Court that hundreds of the signatures filed on her designating petitions are invalid due to alleged fraud, nearly 30% of the total number of signatures on her designating petitions. The campaign also stipulated that more than two dozen signatures on her designating petition do not match the official voter registration records of the voters whose names appear on the petition.

Today, multiple NY-17 voters who submitted sworn affidavits attesting that signatures attributed to them on Phillips-Staley’s petitions were forged testified under oath. Additionally, Phillips-Staley’s campaign manager testified he personally reviewed every sheet while preparing the designating petition for filing. The paid door vendor, Bartholomew Communications and Strategies, testified the same. The contract with the paid canvassing firm was also signed by Effie Phillips-Staley herself, further linking the candidate and campaign to the alleged fraud.  

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Pearl River, NY – 4/22/2026… Last night, Democratic congressional candidate Effie Phillips-Staley filed a sworn Verified Answer in Rockland County Supreme Court that concedes fraud was rampant on her designating petitions. In a last ditch attempt to stay on the ballot, her filing asks the court to disregard the fraudulent signatures and count what’s left.

Under well-established New York State election law, when a designating petition is “permeated with fraud”, the entire petition is invalidated — not just the fraudulent sheets. (See Matter of Ferreyra v. Arroyo, 35 N.Y.3d 127 [2020]; Matter of Proskin v. May, 40 N.Y.2d 829 [1976].)

Lawler For Congress’s Verified Petition and Bill of Particulars laid out a staggering scope of widespread fraud. Thirty sworn voter affidavits attesting to forged signatures, multiple witnesses testifying to fraud across the petitions of at least six canvassers, and 1,127 separate technical objections the Answer doesn’t address.

“Effie Phillips-Staley just signed her name to a sworn filing conceding that her Democrat petition is permeated with fraud. The law stipulates her entire petition should be thrown out, and every one of her canvassers must take the stand and answer under oath for the fraud committed in her name as ordered on Monday. New York law is clear: when fraud permeates a petition, the whole thing goes,” concluded Ciro Riccardi, Campaign Manager.

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Pearl River, NY — April 12, 2026… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) officially kicked off his 2026 reelection campaign before a packed crowd at the Pearl River Elks Lodge, drawing an enthusiastic bipartisan coalition. The event featured remarks from a wide array of supporters — organized labor, law enforcement, small business owners, medical professionals, and Democratic officials — underscoring the broad, bipartisan coalition Congressman Lawler has built over three consecutive winning campaigns.

“Our country is at a crossroads, and the people of the Hudson Valley deserve a congressman who delivers, not one who ducks questions and follows the radical playbook,” said Congressman Lawler. “We’ve won three times in a district that was supposed to be unwinnable, and we’re going to win again. This campaign is built on results, not rhetoric, and today showed exactly who we’re fighting for.”

In his remarks, Congressman Lawler drew a sharp contrast with the Democratic primary field, highlighting his record of delivering results for NY-17 — from the historic $40,000 SALT cap to over $1 billion secured for local hospitals and nursing homes, to defeating Beth Davidson’s sanctuary county stunt. The Congressman pledged to keep fighting for the families of the Hudson Valley and challenged his six Democratic opponents to tell voters where they stand on ICE, Zohran Mamdani, and the policies driving New Yorkers out of the state.

Among the event’s highlights: Philip Valenti of TWU Local 106 announced the endorsement of the Transport Workers Union International; Dr. Mark Geller, CEO of Montefiore Nyack Hospital, spoke to what Congressman Lawler’s successful fight to secure over $1 billion in federal funding for local hospitals has meant for patients and caregivers in Rockland County; and Brendel Logan-Charles, Deputy Supervisor of Ramapo and a registered Democrat, took the stage to make the case for Lawler’s reelection — drawing one of the loudest receptions of the afternoon.

The following speakers appeared at today’s event:

• Rob Astorino, Master of Ceremonies

• Roy Tsudy, U.S. Army Veteran — Pledge of Allegiance

• Father Simonz — Benediction

• Rabbi Shmuel Gancz, Chabad Jewish Center of Suffern — Benediction

• Christine Piccone, Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce

• Jorge Folch, Community Leader

• Dr. Mark Geller, CEO, Montefiore Nyack Hospital

• Stephen Reich, Laborers Local 754

• Philip Valenti, TWU Local 106 — Announcing TWU International Endorsement

• Rivkie Feiner, Constituent, Ramapo

• Brendel Logan-Charles, Deputy Supervisor, Ramapo

• Lauren Mare Wohl, Rockland County Republican Party

• Patrick Casey, Rockland County PBA

• Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive

• Congressman Mike Lawler

Watch the full kickoff event video HERE.

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Pearl River, NY – 2/9/2026… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler blasted Cait Conley after she sent a misleading email to her campaign list falsely accusing Congressman Mike Lawler of orchestrating a “hit” against her — rather than taking responsibility for her own stunning hypocrisy.

Instead of coming clean about her paid consulting work, Conley chose to lash out with a fabricated accusation, attempting to distract from the simple facts now in the public record.

“Cait Conley needs to come clean and be completely transparent about specifically what she did to earn lucrative consulting contracts from military contractors Hidden Level and Primer AI, both of whom did or are doing work with the Trump Administration. Given Conley’s sharp criticism of President Trump’s military, border, and immigration policies, it’s shocking to learn that she’s been paid by two companies directly involved in facilitating those policies through the Departments of War and Homeland Security. Cait Conley’s hypocrisy is stunning,” stated Congressman Lawler. 
 

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Pearl River, NY – 1/29/2026…  Today, following a report from the New York Post, the Lawler for Congress campaign slammed Beth Davidson and Democrats in the Rockland County Legislature for planning to advance the “Immigrant Protection Act”, which aims to turn Rockland County into a sanctuary county for illegal immigrants, putting her congressional ambitions and radical ideology ahead of public safety.

“Make no mistake, Beth Davidson’s public push to have Rockland County adopt the same radical ‘Sanctuary’ policies for illegal immigrants as New York City or Minneapolis can be summed up in one sentence: Beth Davidson is willing to sacrifice the safety of Rockland County residents for the support of far-left radical Democrats she believes can help her win her congressional primary,” stated Congressman Lawler.

County records reveal Davidson’s proposed “Immigrant Protection Act” will closely mirror the sanctuary law passed in other deep blue states, counties, and cities, which prohibits communication and cooperation between federal immigration officials and local law enforcement, and prevents local agencies from honoring detainer requests — even for individuals with serious criminal records — unless narrowly defined conditions are met.

If adopted in Rockland, the bill would:

• Bar county employees and law enforcement from proactively cooperating with ICE, even when dealing with individuals who have prior criminal histories
• Prohibit honoring immigration detainers or providing release notifications, allowing individuals wanted by federal authorities to be released back into the community
• Create additional legal and bureaucratic hurdles that discourage coordination between local law enforcement and federal agencies
• Prioritize immigration status protections over public safety considerations, tying the hands of police officers and corrections officials

“In just the past few years, the Hudson Valley has seen firsthand the consequences of sanctuary city and state policies.  Last year, a 15-year-old from Somers was gunned down by an illegal immigrant. The year before, Clarkstown had uncovered flop houses with 20-30 migrants crammed in with dozens of fire safety violations,” said Congressman Mike Lawler.

Earlier this week, Congressman Mike Lawler laid out a clear warning in a New York Times op-ed: America’s immigration system is broken, and sanctuary policies at the state and local level have only made it worse. Lawler argued that restricting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities undermines public safety, is fueling the chaos, and leaves both communities and migrants vulnerable. He renewed his push for a commonsense, bipartisan immigration solution — one that secures the border, restores law enforcement cooperation, and treats people humanely while upholding the rule of law.

“I’ve been working in Congress, since I was first elected, on serious, bipartisan immigration reform that includes securing the border, restoring cooperation between federal and local law enforcement, and fixing a broken system humanely and responsibly,” Lawler continued. “Sanctuary laws do the opposite. They block cooperation, incentivize exploitation, and risk putting millions in federal public safety and law enforcement funding in jeopardy. Rockland families deserve leaders who prioritize public safety, the rule of law, and accountability. I am calling on every Rockland County legislator to immediately state where they stand on this legislation.”
 

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New York Times | Opinion
By Mike Lawler

The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this month were tragic and preventable. No matter where you stand on immigration enforcement, the shootings show that what the country has been doing is not working.

The loudest voices on each extreme have retreated to their usual corners. They have an interest in keeping our immigration problems unsolved and politically divisive. Everyone else must see that Congress and the president need to embrace a new comprehensive national immigration policy that acknowledges Americans’ many legitimate concerns about how the government has conducted immigration policy.

That starts with reviewing how we got here. During President Joe Biden’s term, lenient border policies and foolish state and local laws offering shelter and benefits to illegal immigrants resulted in millions of migrants entering the United States, overwhelming our cities, our legal and public education systems, and our social safety net.

Americans demanded action, electing Donald Trump in 2024. Now, just months from the November midterm elections, polls suggest that Americans are increasingly concerned about the Department of Homeland Security’s enforcement operations, including in Minneapolis. Americans do not want chaos. They want a common-sense bipartisan solution.

During the Biden and Trump administrations I have helped write bills with anyone from any party who would collaborate with me on finding that solution. A workable plan requires a secure border. Thankfully, the Trump administration has effectively stopped illegal border crossings and deported, by its own count, over 675,000 illegal immigrants. Any balanced immigration policy would preserve and expand on this progress — but humanely.

Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection are conducting forceful operations in American communities. They should reassess their current tactics.

Irresponsible politicians have increased the danger by delegitimizing ICE — with some calling to abolish it — and standing behind sanctuary city policies that restrict necessary cooperation between immigration enforcement officers and state and local police. Local police departments are better suited to interact with the public. Collaboration among federal, state and local law enforcement officials might have prevented some of the chaos in Minneapolis.

Collaboration should start now. The F.B.I. and state and local departments should together investigate the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. A transparent and accountable process that protects the rights of everyone involved, including the deceased and their families, would ensure all relevant evidence is collected and bolster the public’s confidence in immigration enforcement and our justice system.

Congressional scrutiny would help, too. Lawmakers should immediately convene hearings with the leadership of Homeland Security, ICE, the Border Patrol and Citizenship and Immigration Services — not to provide a platform for partisan grandstanding, but to promote an honest national conversation about immigration enforcement.

After tensions have calmed, Congress can then piece together the rest of an immigration plan that settles the issue. Along with building on Mr. Trump’s border policies, a realistic plan would provide a path to legal status — not citizenship — for long-term illegal immigrants without criminal records. This path would be rigorous and fair, and it would aim to keep families together. Fair means those who benefit would face mandatory work requirements, forgo public assistance and pay fines and any back taxes they might owe.

Congress would have to change the legal immigration system, too. Lawmakers should create a system in which applicants’ merit matters more than it does now, better accounting for the country’s economic needs. I am the husband of a naturalized citizen. My wife came to the United States in pursuit of a better life. I will always fight to provide opportunity to others who have the potential and desire to contribute to America’s success.

We must be a nation of laws but also one that offers dignity and compassion to those seeking to pursue their American dream. The events of the past several years show that there will be no Democratic or Republican solution on immigration, only an American one.

After 40 years of failure — and, now, two more deaths that did not need to occur — my colleagues and I should feel only more profoundly the responsibility to rebuild trust and act in America’s common interest.

Mike Lawler, a Republican, represents New York’s 17th District in the House of Representatives.

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Pearl River, NY – 1/22/2026… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler called on each and every NY-17 Democratic candidate to immediately and unequivocally denounce radical calls from NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, made yesterday on “The View,” to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and block cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. At a Clarkstown Democratic Committee candidate forum, Cait Conley suggested “ICE can’t operate without a budget”, and Mike Sacks called to defund ICE, echoing Mamdani’s statement. As of January 2026, according to the White House, nearly 1.9 million illegal aliens have self-deported, and over 675,000 have been removed, over 70% having a conviction or pending criminal charges.

“Let me be very clear,” said Congressman Lawler. “Sanctuary state and city policies that prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are wrong, and they are dangerous. Anyone who supports codifying Sanctuary policies and defunding ICE is detached from reality.”

“This is not an abstract policy debate. Ending cooperation with ICE makes our communities more dangerous by allowing repeat offenders, gang members, and violent criminals to slip through the cracks. My Democratic opponents owe voters a clear answer: do they support Mayor Mamdani’s support of abolishing ICE and promoting sanctuary policies that let violent criminals and gang members run freely around New York?” added Lawler. “Yes or no?”

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Pearl River, NY – 1/20/2026… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler released a statement unapologetically condemning a television ad airing in NY-17 by the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) and calls on all candidates in NY-17 to immediately denounce this ad.

“This ad is a disgrace,” Congressman Lawler said. “The IMEU attacks anyone who stands with Israel, opposes terrorism, refuses to bow to their radical agenda, and traffics antisemitic tropes.”

“This kind of politics has no place in the Hudson Valley. I am calling on every candidate running in NY-17 to publicly and unequivocally denounce this ad immediately. Silence is an endorsement,” concluded Lawler.

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Pearl River, NY – January 14, 2026 … The Lawler for Congress campaign today announced a dominant and historic fourth-quarter fundraising performance, cementing Congressman Mike Lawler as the clear frontrunner in New York’s 17th Congressional District and putting Democrats on notice early.

The campaign will file $1.25 million raised in Q4 2025, an extraordinary off-election-year total that more than doubles the fundraising of one of the leading Democratic candidates in the race. At a point in the cycle when most challengers are still introducing themselves, the Lawler campaign has already built a decisive financial edge. Cycle-to-date, the campaign has raised nearly $5.2 million and enters 2026 with a commanding $3.5 million cash on hand, giving Congressman Lawler unmatched resources to communicate his record and define the race on his terms.

The numbers represent not only dominance over the current field but also a historic acceleration compared to the campaign’s prior cycle. At the same point in 2024, the campaign had raised $3.2 million, with $2.5 million in cash on hand—making the current haul a clear signal of growing momentum and expanding support. That strength is powered by a broad, energized, grassroots coalition of 20,311 individual donors this cycle, underscoring deep enthusiasm across the district and strong bipartisan confidence in Congressman Lawler’s leadership.

“These numbers send a blunt message: Congressman Lawler is winning—and building a campaign that Democrats cannot catch,” said Ciro Riccardi, Campaign Manager for Lawler for Congress. “In an off-election year, we are shattering records, expanding our grassroots base, and stockpiling the resources needed to win decisively in 2026. This level of early support is historic for NY-17 and reflects the results-driven, bipartisan coalition Congressman Lawler continues to grow.”
 

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