Defending Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz on A101A

To the editor,

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was attacked again in the July 17 letters section of the Riverdale Press. The first pass was published June 26 by candidate Morgan Evers. This time, Sue Ellen Dodell and some members of a group calling itself “The Ruth Mullen Riverdale Huddle” joined Evers. They blame Dinowitz for not passing Assembly Bill A101A, which would prohibit the use of the victim’s voluntary intoxication as a defense in sex crimes. 

This is a bill Jeff not only supports but also is the lead sponsor in the NYS Assembly. However, the bill never made it out of the Rules Committee this year. Evers and her supporters blame Dinowitz, who, in their rendering, should have been able to get the bill done because of his leadership position.  

Can we all just be honest about what they really want?

It’s clear to me this misdirection is to help Ms. Evers position herself to challenge Jeff Dinowitz for his Assembly seat.  While I don’t believe she has officially announced her candidacy, Evers started a campaign committee for Assembly months ago.

She has collected contributions, including from all of the letter signers — most of whom contributed to her before the end of the legislative session, and before they could have known the intoxication loophole legislation Dinowitz sponsored would not advance to the floor of the Assembly for a vote. 

There is nothing wrong with contributing to a candidate’s campaign, and there is nothing wrong with starting a campaign committee and preparing to run for office. Still, the purpose of their letters attacking Dinowitz is disguised. The Huddle’s condemnation of our Assemblyman’s efforts to pass this bill appears to have nothing to do with the legislation and everything to do with political maneuvering.  

It is disappointing that the rape of women is being used to attack the lead sponsor of the very bill that, if passed, might help resolve real injustice. If I am wrong and the bill’s passage is the Huddle’s primary goal, they should partner with Dinowitz and spend their time persuading members of the Assembly who are not already on board.  

This seems a much more productive use of time than villainizing a highly effective and productive incumbent who is already on our side. The many hardworking advocates who support this critical bill recognize Assemblyman Dinowitz has been working and will continue to work diligently to get this legislation passed.

Virginia Krompinger