Cavallo Tries to Silence Press, Sues Guardian for $25Mil.

We Say: “Bring It On!”

Publisher Promises To Subpoena All Judges and Officeholders Who Ever Received Cavallo’s Cross-Endorsement.

In a deliberate, but feeble, attempt to silence the truth, Giulio Cavallo, former chairman of the Westchester Independence Party, and notorious influence peddler, has filed a lawsuit seeking $25 million in damages against Guardian News Corporation, The Westchester Guardian, its President and Publisher, Sam Zherka, and its editor-in-chief, Richard Blassberg. The complaint, filed in State Supreme Court, New York County, alleges, for the first of four causes of action, that the words, “AXIS OF CORRUPTION”, along with a photo of the Plaintiff, Cavallo, on the front page of the January 4, 2007 edition of The Westchester Guardian, was falsely and maliciously written“ with an intent to destroy, humiliate and disparage and defame” him, and that it injured his reputation, causing him financial loss.

The complaint lists a total of 36 separate acts allegedly calculated to defame and harm Cavallo. Publisher Zherka responded, “There was no malicious intent nor defamation, and all of the actions attributed to Mr. Cavallo by The Guardian are true and documented. We intend to subpoena every judge and public office-holder who ever received the cross-endorsement of the Independence Party from Mr. Cavallo.” He further declared, “ We stand on our First Amendment Rights, under Freedom of the Press, to keep our readers fully informed of the activities within our community, particularly those that directly affect the electoral system, and the right of citizens to participate in a free and unfettered process. As an individual who has chosen to be deeply involved in that most sacred of democratic processes, Mr. Cavallo is subject to a very high level of scrutiny.”

Mr. Cavallo has been locked in a pitched battle with members of the Independence Party, united as the Integrity Committee, under the leadership of Nader Sayegh, for control, and, is under a restraining order from Supreme Court Justice Donovan. Having obtained a stay from Judge Joseph Covello, State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, he’s been going around boasting “the fix is in” with that court, and that he will emerge as party chairman.

Meanwhile, informed sources revealed last week that Cavallo is under investigation by the FBI, and that they have been interviewing persons with information regarding his unlawful activities. Until very recently Mr. Cavallo had been soliciting fees, as much as $5,000, from individuals wishing to obtain a pistol permit from the County, who might not otherwise be able to qualify. In that regard he had let it be known that he was able to obtain permits through his connections with Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz, and Commissioner of Public Safety, Tom Belfiore.

By attempting to silence The Westchester Guardian Giulio Cavallo is merely demonstrating his contempt for Constitutionally-guaranteed safeguards against unlawful operatives such as he, who would pervert and nullify the electoral process. He has engaged for so many years in the sale of endorsements for personal enrichment, and gotten away with it, that he simply cannot now accept the notion that the gig is up. After all, he has conspired with the most politically powerful in Westchester, including Larry Schwartz, Nick Spano, and Jeanine Pirro, the latter providing cover and protection from prosecution as well.

Mr. Cavallo, who reportedly hasn’t been seen lately in any of his usual haunts, is apparently under attack from other sources as well, some of whom have taken to the Internet to complain of his unethical conduct. A building contractor in Connecticut, apparently involved in the construction of a house in a wooded area, that some have described as “ Cavallo’s Hideout,” reports that Cavallo owes him a large sum of money for his work, and that repeated attempts to get paid have failed.

As previously reported, Giulio Cavallo was slated to be the guest speaker at a fundraiser organized by Nick Spano, a few weeks ago. Inside sources had revealed that the proceeds were to be used for Cavallo’s expected legaldefense. The party, which was held at the Surf Club in New Rochelle, drew some 500 guests, but Cavallo failed to show up.)

In light of publisher Sam Zherka’s announced intention to subpoena each and every office-holder and judge who ever received the Independence Party’s cross-endorsement from Giulio Cavallo, over many years, readers will, no doubt, find the legal struggle about to ensue most enlightening. Stay tuned. The truth will set us free!
“ There was no malicious intent, nor defamation, and all of the actions attributed to Mr. Cavallo by TheGuardian are true and documented. We intend to subpoena every judge and public office-holder who ever received the cross-endorsement of the Independence Party from Mr. Cavallo...We stand on our First Amendment Rights, under Freedom of the Press, to keep our readers fully informed of the activities within our community, particularly those that directly affect the electoral system, and the right of citizens to participate in a free and unfettered process. As an individual who has chosen to be deeply involved in that most sacred of democratic processes, Mr. Cavallo is subject to a very high level of scrutiny.”