Lawyer: Enough evidence to oust Hevesi

(Albany, NY - WABC, November 4, 2006) (WABC) -- State comptroller Alan Hevesi's political future could take a major hit today.

A lawyer appointed by Governor George Pataki says there is enough evidence to recommend Comptroller Alan Hevesi to be removed from office for using a state worker to drive around his sick wife.

Eyewitness News reporter Patricia Wu has the latest.

Hevesi has been under fire for using a state worker to chauffeur his wife.

This morning Governor Pataki released the findings of investigative report into those ethical violations.

Now, Hevesi could only hope for some good news as his campaign certainly can not take another head.

Three days before the vote, Alan Hevesi gets another round of bad news. Lawyer Eliot Spitzer's office say that 83-thousand dollars, he repaid recently for state worker to drive around his wife, wasn't enough.

"The Attorney General has made a demand to the comptroller for an additional $90,000 to be held in escrow," Hevesi said in a statement released by his lawyers yesterday. "The Comptroller delivered a check in that amount... today."

His latest TV ad begs forgiveness but Hevesi might be in real trouble.

Alan Hevesi, in his TV ad: "Honest concern for my wife Carol let me to make a stupid mistake. I am truly sorry."

A poll out yesterday shows what was a 27 point lead, 52 to 25 percent last month, has shrunk to almost a dead hit, 39 and 35.

"Alan Hevesi is holding on to very slim lead and sort of shaky lead at this point," pollster Mickey Blum said. "Certainly, Alan Hevesi could lose this campaign."

Blum's own poll shows Hevesi with a bit of wider lead. Still, she does call this race tight.

With Yesterday's second check, Hevesi now repaid state almost 173-thousand dollars.

Chris Callaghan says it's still not enough. All of Hevesi's bad news has been a boon to his republican opponent.

Mr. Callaghan: "They're not comfortable with a man who misappropriates his funds. They are not going to return him to office"

Hevesi said it should be left up to the voters.

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