POUGHKEEPSIE — Bill Kemble of the Daily Freeman has a report this morning on a new wrinkle in the close-as-skin state 100th District Assembly race now focused on Dutchess County where Democratic Elections Commissioner Fran Knapp says complaints have been filed that allege private investigator Bill Paroli Jr. intimidated senior citizens on behalf of the GOP during an investigation of signatures on absentee ballots in the 100th Assembly District race. Paroli denies any wrongdoing. The complaints were lodged in connection with 150 absentee ballots from Dutchess County that have been set aside by Republicans, who are seeking to keep an 89-vote margin favoring former state Assemblyman Thomas Kirwan, R-Newburgh, over incumbent Assemblyman Frank Skartados, D-Marlborough. Kirwan currently leads Skartados, 15,033-14,944, in the district, which also includes parts of Ulster and Orange counties... and which Skartados won from long-term incumbent Kirwan by a thin margin two years ago. The only outstanding ballots in the race are 266 absentees that have been contested by one side or the other in the three counties and now are in the hands of a state Supreme Court justice. And this in the legislative chamber NOT threatening to end up tied 31-31 between the parties, with Republicans now talking up a lawsuit to keep the state Lt. Governor, Democrat Robert Duffy, the former mayor of Rochester, from casting tie-breaking votes or serving as the body's President.

For the full story, including how Paroli allegedly worked over the largely senior female voters, click HERE.