Update: 8/21/20 - 7:19 P.M.
CORNING, NY (WSKG) - A Steuben County Legislator has been arrested for soliciting a sex worker.
Steve Maio, who represents the City of Corning, is facing a charge with 3rd degree patronizing a prostitute according to a press release from the New York State Police. It is a misdemeanor.
Maio’s lawyer, Christopher Tunney said he has not seen any charging documents from law enforcement.
“As far as I knew, this was not a completed crime,” Tunney claimed. “The alleged crime was an attempt. And I'm not—I just can't because I haven't seen the documents. I know that there was a press release put out by the state police, but I'm not sure that it's accurate.”
Multiple attempts to reach New York State Police went unanswered.
The Steuben County Legislature Chairman Scott Van Etten said the body cannot legally ask Maio to step down from his seat based on a misdemeanor charge.
However, Van Etten said there still may be repercussions.
“Will the county legislature get together and decide on any action to take with Mr. Maio after his court date? Yes, I would say that we most certainly will,” Van Etten said. “What will that action be? That remains to be seen.”
Maio is scheduled to appear in court at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27 in the town of Hornellsville Court.
He did not return a request for comment.*
*This story has been updated from its original version to correct grammatical errors. Additionally, the headline has been changed from “charged” to “facing charges”.