Borgia Resigns As Westchester Board Of Legislators Chairwoman

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The Westchester County Board of Legislators did not have to act to oust its leader.

The Board of Legislators was set to vote Friday to remove Legislator Catherine Borgia, D-Ossining, as chairwoman, but Borgia submitted a letter of resignation vacating her leadership position.

Borgia’s resignation as leader came after Judge Robert J. Prisco lifted a temporary restraining order that prevented the legislators from acting on Borgia’s ouster Wednesday.

According to the rules of the Board, Vice Chairwoman Nacy Barr will act as temporary chair until a new chairperson is chosen within 60 days.

Borgia, who represents District 9, will remain a member of the legislative body. District 9 is comprised of Briarcliff Manor, Croton-on-Hudson and Ossining and parts of Cortlandt and Peekskill.

The reason the legislators wanted to remove Borgia as chair was her handling of reports from a sting operation that an aide had solicited sexual relations from a minor.

Borgia had refused to step aside when fellow Democrats on the board had asked her to do so Monday.

The resolution, which was not acted on Wednesday or Friday, said Borgia was informed in late December that two board members had received an email about legislative aide Anand Singh's alleged behavior. She took no further action regarding his employment and did not consult with county attorneys, human resources or other county departments other than Public Safety.

Borgia said, when the video from the vigilante group was brought to her attention April 13, she terminated Singh’s employment. The Board was informed the next day of the termination by the Clerk of the Board who didn’t share any details.

After the Legislators said they had lost confidence in her ability to lead, Borgia issued a statement that said she followed the law, upheld the county charter and followed the ethics laws and rules that govern the body.

“Targeting me is an example of pervasive misogyny and political hubris that will destroy this institution,” she said.