(Rochester, N.Y.) – In an announcement Tuesday morning, Mayor Tom Richards said he would resign effective Thursday, and run in a special election.
Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development Carlos Carballada will serve as mayor until the election.
Richards said he resigned to avoid a penalty under the federal Hatch Act, which prohibits public employees who handle federal funds from running for office.
The federal Office of Special Counsel began investigating Richards’ eligibility after a complaint was filed by the firefighters union.
Richards criticized the Hatch Act and said it was being used politically.
Richards said to fight the investigation, he risked a fine levied on the city and the investigation could drag on for months.
