White Plains CitizeNetReporter - The Amy Tape(s): Was Reporter Baiting Amy? Or Amy Baiting Reporter?

WPCNR Afternoon Trib & Post. October 22, 2002: Tony Sayegh, Amy Paulin’s challenger in the 88th Assembly District, played a cassette tape on television Monday evening, which revealed Amy Paulin, in her own voice, the incumbent Assemblyperson, making what Mr. Sayegh characterized as “a display of blatant racism and discrimination.”

Here is the complete transcript of that tape recording. This was a telephone conversation between Robert Fois, the reporter, whose comments are preceded by the prefix “RF.: Ms. Paulin’s comments are identified by the suffix, “AP.”

According to Robert Fois, there is more incriminating comments from Ms. Paulin on the tape (that was agreed to be off the record at the time the conversation was recorded in July) that he has not made public.

Fois is debating whether or not to disclose to WPCNR, in light of Ms. Paulin’s remarks in today’s Journal News report, the rest of that conversation. Here is the transcript of the tape disclosed so far, which was disseminated at Mr. Sayegh’s Monday evening news conference to all media:

When we join the beginning of the telephone conversation, Mr. Fois (RF) and Ms. Paulin (AP) are about to discuss the Financial Disclosure Filings just filed in July. Let's listen by way of the printed word. WPCNR identifies the documents in question, all characterizations of interruptions and speech are part of the transcript. Here we go:

RF: So what’s up?

AP: Oh, nothing much, what’s up with you?

RF: You have the filing?

AP: Uhh my filing is filed, but I actually haven’t seen a copy of it yet, so I’m waiting to get a copy from my treasurer.

RF: Ok I just need the numbers that’s all.

AP: Yeah, I actually called him (Paulin’s Treasurer) today to see if he could get it faxed to me but his fax wasn’t working so you know we keep having…. I mean the checks keep coming in so that’s why I don’t know what he actually…you know because there was a cutoff date what we got in before the cutoff date and what came in after. So, probably it’ll get posted by tomorrow.

RF: All right, the problem is my deadline is tonight.

AP: I said to him what does it look like I have? You know, actually cash in hand, which is your first question.

RF: Right.

AP: He estimated probably somewhere like almost $100,000 of cash in hand.

RF: Okay.

AP: So, uhh but it’s rough, you know, but he wasn’t sure.

RF: Any loans? Is it just general donations?

AP: It’s a combination loans, it’s a combination of you know [unintelligible] and contributions.

RF: Let me ask you, have you heard about his (Sayegh’s Financial Contributions) filing at all?

AP: I only heard that he had $100,000 roughly also, something like that.

RF: Right. I mean, what’s your reaction, I’m just curious.

AP: Well, I haven’t had a chance to look at the filings yet but uhh, you know, but what I hear most of the money is from outside the district.

RF: His (Sayegh’s) money?

AP: Yeah.

RF: Interesting I didn’t know that.

AP: Yeah.

AP: In fact somebody just said they left it here. Let me see if it’s in my pile (Sayegh’s July Financial Filing). Uhh, yes…yes, here it is. Let’s see I can sit down and do a breakdown but it does look as though most of the money is outside the district.

RF: Now let me ask you in terms of what you’d (Paulin) expect to raise…[she cuts him off]

AP: Bobby you have to take a look at these filings.

RF: Really?

AP: Yes.

RF: What do you mean?

AP: Just take a look. I don’t want to say anything…you know on the record.

RF: Why is it that bad as far as the money?

AP: No. When you see the names, you’re gonna want to take a look at the filing. Okay?

RF: What kind of names are we talking?

AP: Just take a look.

RF: I mean, are we talking questionable individuals?

AP: No. Just…I’m telling you just take a look. Okay?

RF: Okay.

AP: Okay take a look and I don’t know if you’ll see the same thing I see here but take a look.

RF: All right.

AP: All right, take a look. I mean without…I’m literally looking at it with you for the first time but I don’t want to put a number on it…I’m gonna do these numbers but it looks as though, you know, maybe up to 75 percent is outside the district…maybe more. I mean it’s uhh…I’m finding very few district names.

RF: Are you inferring that this is more of a candidate that’s getting sort of a Washington beltway type then a Westchester type?

AP: It may be family and friends I don’t know who these people are.

RF: Okay.

AP: You know I don’t know who these people are but they’re outside the district and uhh and there’s a lot of um…look…just look, just take a look…you know.

RF: Does it become an issue for you as far as the fact that he has money out of district?

AP: No. You know what money…

RF: Or where his roots and obligations will be or is that more of the focus there?

AP: You know I have been very proud that most of money has come from uhh grassroots support from people who live in the 88th Assembly District.

RF: Ok. Is that more of a issue of a Republican party locally that’s not giving…[she cuts him off]

AP: Can I say something totally off the record? Then maybe you’ll need to know why you have to take a look. It’s probably…50 percent are Arab names. It’s unbelievable. I’ve never seen this.

RF: Really?

AP: Yes. 50 percent. It’s more than…50 percent are Arab names…and I’m Jewish. Uhh, you know, I, I, uhh…and they’re maxing out on him. It’s unbelievable. RFh: What do you mean they’re maxing out?

AP: [repeats] $3,100. $3,100 from all these Arab names. Now a lot of them are family members you know…and they may all be family members.

RF: Right.

AP: But you know, but I’m telling you, Bahari, Jahaba, I can’t even say these names. [laughing]

RF: No, no, and I understand what point you’re making in that respect but you know when you say Arab it’s a generalization. I believe he’s Lebanese.

AP: He’s Lebanese, so they may all be family and friends but he’s probably got 300 names on here and 150 of them are you know, or a lot of them, maybe 100, you know I don’t want to exaggerate.

RF: Okay.

AP: You know, so, you know but that may not be your issue, but I’m gonna look at this. God…

So ends the released portion of the transcript of Mrs. Paulin’s conversation with the Eastchester Town Report reporter, Robert Fois, recorded by Mr. Fois last July. The audio of the tape may be heard on the Sayegh campaign website, www.tony2002.com/tape.


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