Yes, I've been subpoenaed in the case against Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren.

But I want to correct a misunderstanding that some people have.

1) https://www.wxxinews.org/post/prosecutors-bring-case-against-mayor-lovely-warren-grand-jury-september

I am not "testifying against the mayor," as some WXXI listeners have asked. As I understand it, the DA's office is interested in the mayor's last appearance on Connections. It happened in July of 2017.

I'm going to court to verify that the audio from that show is unedited.

2)

The mayor has made it clear that she felt the interview was unfair, out of bounds. If she feels she won't be treated fairly on Connections, I don't expect her to accept our invitations. So far, since July of '17, she has not returned, and has barred city staff from appearing.

3)

I don't want to get into a back-and-forth about the interview. I'd handle a few things differently, but the questions about her campaign and PAC needed to be asked. I had no intention of spending that much of the program on that subject. She did not want to discuss it.

4)

I have no personal problem with the mayor. Obviously, I'd like to welcome her back. I respect her decision not to come back.

The subpoena has no impact on any of that. I was subpoenaed, so I'm cooperating. The DA's office seems to find her comments on that show pertinent.

5)

The issue matters, and still matters. Campaigns and PACs can not coordinate, although many do.

The mayor says the timing of the new subpoenas are questionable. But the next election is more than a year away. There's nothing that indicates a timed event.

6)

Strangely, the mayor's lawyer says she did "absolutely nothing wrong." On Connections, the mayor indicated that her staff might have made mistakes, but those mistakes were not malicious nor intentional.

I don't know if prosecutors buy that! But clearly something happened.

7)

The mayor calls this a "witch hunt." I'll just say that the term "witch hunt" is used far too often by political leaders to try to shut down basic media inquiry.

8)

I respect Mayor Warren and I'm an observer in the DA's office investigation. I have no idea where it will lead.

But I'll stress again: I'll be in and out of court in mere minutes. This ain't about me.

9/end