Binghamton Lawmaker Says He Won’t Step Aside

Binghamton City Councilman William Berg said he has done nothing wrong and he has "no intention of stepping aside."

Berg has been facing questions since the Press & Sun-Bulletin reported on a voice mail message he left with a contractor prior to a council vote on a project labor agreement for a major construction project.

In the message obtained by the newspaper, Berg is heard identifying himself and referencing an offer by the contractor to provide campaign "help." Berg, who was council president at the time, also notes the upcoming vote on the labor agreement for work planned at the sewage treatment plant in Vestal.

In the brief message, Berg said: "I want to support you a hundred percent. So, if you help on my campaign, that'd be great."

A trade group, the Associated Builders and Contractors, told the newspaper that it notified the FBI of the message.

Mayor Richard David on Tuesday called on Berg to temporarily "step aside" while the issues raised by the recording are reviewed.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, David said the issues in the case are "very, very serious and troubling."

The mayor added "we don't have all the facts or all the information" regarding the message. He described the matter as "extremely problematic."

David said the situation needs be fully investigated. He said he believes Berg "is compromised in his ability to effectively" serve on city council.

The mayor said he believes Berg should "temporarily, voluntarily step aside until this matter is resolved."

A short time later, Berg told WNBF News: "I feel it is unwarranted. I have done nothing wrong."

Berg said he has not been contacted by the FBI and he does not know whether the agency is investigating the matter.

Berg said "people are reading into the words I used in the message." He said "there was no intent - zero - of any wrongdoing whatsoever."

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