A special prosecutor has been assigned to investigate the past uses of a Town of Conklin credit card by current Broome County Executive Debbie Preston. Schuyler County District Attorney Joseph Fazzary has been assigned by Broome County Supreme Court Justice Molly Fitzgerald. While no charges have yet been filed, Fazzary has been assigned to be in charge of any “investigation, charge, and subsequent prosecution” of Preston. Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell recused himself from the case last week. Preston held a press conference on Tuesday and admitted to using a Town of Conklin Sam’s Club card for personal use when she was town supervisor in 2011. She paid it back with her own money in 2012. The Republican is running for re-election this year against Democrat challenger Jason Garnar.
