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Bob Joseph/WNBF News [file][/caption]Senator Frederick Akshar helped raise funds for the New York State Republican Party as the "special guest" at an Albany event held before the start of the Senate's 2016 session.

The fundraiser on January 5 was held at the University Club, a venue that serves as the site of dozens of such events each year.

An invitation from the state Republican Party indicated tobacco giant Altria and communications company AT&T were corporate sponsors.

Tickets to what was billed as the "Albany Rising Star Event" were $125 per person.

State Republican Party chairman Ed Cox said it's "good to have an event like that" to raise some money for the organization. He said "it was not a huge fundraiser."

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Cox said "there were about 30 people there."

Cox said all of the money brought in at the fundraiser goes to the party "to organize things and get them going all around the state."

Akshar defeated Democrat Barbara Fiala in a special election in November. The 52nd District Senate seat was vacated after Thomas Libous was convicted of lying to the FBI.

Akshar could not be reached for comment on Friday to discuss the fundraising event.

New York State Republican Committee
New York State Republican Committee
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