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Joseph Mastroianni, a Republican candidate for the 111th Assembly District in Schenectady County has been charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing his rival's campaign flyer. Mastroianni, who is also a member of the Rotterdam Town Board, was caught on camera removing a political mailer from a resident's mailbox and replacing it with his own. The incident occurred on October 17, and was captured by a Ring doorbell camera. The homeowner noticed the switch when they did not receive a campaign flyer from Democrat Angelo Santabarbara, the incumbent Assemblyman, that was listed in the post office's "informed mail delivery" emails.
According to the New York Post, Mastroianni turned himself in to Socita Village police on Thursday. He could face federal charges in addition to the local misdemeanor, as stealing mail is a federal felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Frank Salamone, the Schenectady County Democratic Committee chairman, tipped off the Scotia Village Police Department about the alleged theft. Salamone also filed complaints with the US Postal Service, the state Board of Elections, the state police, and the Schenectady County Sheriff. He provided the agencies with the homeowner's Ring camera footage of the incident.
Despite the alleged flyer swap, Mastroianni lost the election to Santabarbara. Mastroianni has not yet commented on the charges.