Former Deputy Mayor Calls for City Councilmember's Resignation

Tarik Abdelazim, a former Binghamton deputy mayor, is calling on Sophia Resciniti to resign from City Council.

Abdelazim said Resciniti said should step down after a judge dismissed a harassment charge that stemmed from a complaint made by the councilmember last summer.

Ithaca City Court Judge Seth Peacock has dismissed the charge against Abdelazim. Peacock was assigned the case after a Binghamton City Court judge recused herself.

Peacock concluded evidence had not been presented to indicate Abdelazim made a "true threat."

Tarik Abdelazim on August 29, 2017. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

In a statement, Abdelazim said Resciniti's complaint was "factually inaccurate." He wrote "it is almost surreal how Resciniti replaced the truth" with a "bizarre, false narrative." He maintained he had made no threats and "absolutely no reference to her house."

Abdelazim concluded "Resciniti has shown herself to be unfit for public office" so she should "resign immediately."

Resciniti responded with a statement saying she had been "verbally threatened" by Abdelazim because of a city council decision on the use of federal funds. She said he "has a long, public and documented history of agitation, harassment and manipulating the truth."

Resciniti wrote that he "will not be intimidated by those on the far left." She said that's why she is running for the New York State Assembly. She is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat now held by Endwell Democrat Donna Lupardo.

Binghamton city councilwoman Sophia Resciniti on November 13, 2019. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News