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Rochester-area Assemblyman dies in apparent suicide

NY State Assembly

A well-known state assemblyman from the Rochester area has died in an apparent suicide. A police officer saw Bill Nojay shoot himself near his family’s cemetery plot about 9:30 a.m. Friday.

Nojay, a 59-year-old radio talk show host, had served in the Assembly since 2013. The conservative Republican was facing a primary challenge in next Tuesday’s primary for re-election to a third term. His Democratic opponent has suspended campaigning for now.

Assembly Republican Leader Brian Kolb expressed sadness and shock.

“I’m just almost speechless,” said Kolb, who added he considered Nojay a friend as well as a colleague. “Not only do I feel bad, but I’m sure what’s even more tragic is what his family is dealing with right now.”

Nojay, who also was involved in international democracy movements, as well as international business deals, was accused of fraud in connection with a venture in Cambodia, which he brushed off earlier this year as nothing more than a lawsuit.

The New York Daily News reported that Nojay had been scheduled to turn himself in to the FBI on Friday morning in relation to the fraud charges.

Nojay, an avid supporter of Donald Trump, was a popular politician in Albany, with friends on both sides of the aisle. Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said he “cannot express how saddened” he is to learn of Nojay’s passing.

Karen DeWitt is Capitol Bureau Chief for New York State Public Radio, a network of 10 public radio stations in New York State. She has covered state government and politics for the network since 1990.