The Rochester Police Department confirms that New York State Assemblyman William Nojay is dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Pittsford Assemblyman shot himself in front of a Rochester police officer, who was called to Riverside Cemetery off Lake Avenue to “check the welfare” of someone at that location.
Investigator Frank Camp says Nojay was alone and shot himself shortly before 9:30 this morning within sight of the officer. He says it happened too fast for the officer to prevent it.
The New York Daily News says it’s learned from sources that Nojay was to turn himself in this morning in federal court to face charges resulting from the collapse of a rice exporting business in Cambodia. A Cambodian dentist charged she lost $1 million she invested in the business, and a Cambodian prosecutor said the business was a shell company set up to defraud her.
Nojay has consistently denied that charge and said yesterday on WHAM 1180 that it was mainly a dispute between Cambodians over a business deal that failed. He said his Cambodian partners were honorable people, but some had done well and others stumbled.
Nojay was a Pittsford resident and was seeking a third term in the 133th District. He was facing a primary election from Honeoye Falls Mayor Richard Milne this coming Tuesday. Milne is suspending his campaign for the time being, although he says it may not be possible to stop all the radio ads he’s bought. Democrat Barbara Baer is also suspending her campaign until further notice.
In a statement, Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo confirmed Nojay’s death, calling him “a strong voice for Upstate New York.” Other elected officials have echoed those statements.