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'Institutional Misogyny': Chairwoman Resigns From Westchester BOL After Staffer Meets With Teen

The chairwoman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators has stepped down from her position following a scandal involving a former county staffer trying to meet with a 14-year-old girl. 

Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairwoman Catherine Borgia has stepped down from her position following the firing of a legislative aide who allegedly tried meeting up with a 14-year-old girl.

Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairwoman Catherine Borgia has stepped down from her position following the firing of a legislative aide who allegedly tried meeting up with a 14-year-old girl.

Photo Credit: Westchester County Board of Legislators

Catherine Borgia, who was elected to the position with a unanimous vote at the beginning of the 2022-2023 term, announced her resignation on Friday, April 28.

Numerous legislators had called for Borgia's resignation after a former staffer, identified as Anand Singh, was fired on Thursday, April 13 when a video surfaced of him allegedly driving hours to try and meet up with a 14-year-old girl. 

This included member James Nolan, who represents Legislative District 15 which includes Yonkers and Bronxville, and called Borgia's response to the incident a "mishandling." 

In her announcement on Friday, Borgia, who had previously called the calls for her resignation a "political witch hunt," said that the events leading to her decision had been "politically motivated and based in institutional misogyny." 

"The action to remove a Chairwoman of the Board of Legislators is a precedent that will dangerously weaken this institution," Borgia added, also writing, "I'm saddened that my colleagues chose to take the path that most endangers the work of the county." 

Borgia also defended her time as Chair, writing, "As was noted by the very colleagues who sought my resignation as Chairwoman, my legislative, budgetary, and personal accomplishments during my time of service on this legislature are extraordinary and cannot be erased." 

She will now resume representing Legislative District 9, which includes Ossining, Briarcliff, Croton, parts of Cortlandt, and Peekskill, as a regular member of the Board until her term ends in December 2023. 

The investigation into Singh's alleged misconduct is still ongoing. He is now under investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, according to Borgia.

This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates. 

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