Todd Kaminsky

Kaminsky was born and raised in Long Beach, New York on Long Island. He received his A.B. degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Michigan, and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from New York University Law School.

Kaminsky worked as an assistant district attorney in the Queens County District Attorney's Office, prosecuting domestic violence cases, robberies, shootings and other violent crimes. He then joined the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York as an Assistant United States Attorney, where he worked for six years.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-legislator-kaminsky-a-former-prosecutor-has-peers-on-guard-1427245151|title=Freshman N.Y. Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky, a Former Prosecutor, Has Peers on Guard|first=Erica|last=Orden|date=March 25, 2015|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=December 23, 2015}} There he became acting deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section, successfully prosecuting elected officials including State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr., Assemblyman Jimmy Meng, and U.S. Representative Michael Grimm.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/nyregion/ex-assemblyman-jimmy-k-meng-sentenced-in-bribery-scheme.html|title=Ex-Queens Assemblyman Sentenced in Bribery Case|date=March 13, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 23, 2015}}

Giving his closing remarks in the Espada, Jr. case, the New York Times wrote, "Pacing before the jury and cuing up slides on a computer presentation, Mr. Kaminsky often brought the jury and others in the courtroom to laughter, throwing out one-liners and making fun of Mr. Espada’s excuses for spending the money."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/nyregion/espadas-fraud-trial-wrapping-up-after-six-weeks.html|title=Fraud Trial for Espada Is Concluding After 6 Weeks|date=April 25, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 23, 2015}} Kaminsky also successfully prosecuted former music mogul and drug dealer James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond, securing an indictment after Rosemond was captured by DEA agents after remaining a fugitive for a month.{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2011/06/21/hip-hop-manager-arrested-after-month-as-fugitive/|title=Hip Hop Manager Arrested After Month as Fugitive|work=WSJ|date=June 21, 2011|access-date=December 23, 2015|last1=Rutkoff|first1=Aaron}} For that prosecution, Kaminsky was awarded the True American Hero Award from the Federal Drug Agents Foundation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/video/todd-kaminsky/kaminsky-speaks-cbs-2-new-york-about-his-marijuana-and-road-safety|title=Kaminsky speaks to CBS 2 New York about his marijuana and road safety roundtable|date=January 8, 2019|website=NY State Senate|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2019}}

As a community advocate, Kaminsky raised funds and held free legal clinics following Hurricane Sandy. For his efforts, he was awarded the Community Service Award from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Long Beach Martin Luther King Center’s Sandy Relief Service Award.{{Cite web|url=http://www.liherald.com/longbeach/stories/in-9th-sd-give-kaminsky-another-term,108791|title=In 9th Senate District, give Kaminsky another term|website=Herald Community Newspapers|date=November 2018 |language=en|access-date=January 30, 2019}}

Kaminsky was elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2014, succeeding Harvey Weisenberg. As New York magazine noted in a profile, "The rookie assemblyman has already delivered some tangible results for his district — speeding up the state’s reimbursement schedule for Sandy housing reconstruction, and pushing to open a new emergency room to compensate slightly for the storm-induced closure of Long Beach Hospital."{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/kaminsky-prosecuted-albany-pols-now-he-is-one.html|title=Kaminsky Prosecuted Albany Pols; Now He Is One |work=Daily Intelligencer|date=April 30, 2015 |access-date=December 23, 2015}}

In 2015, Kaminsky was named one of City & State's 40 Under 40 Rising Stars.{{cite web|url=http://www.cityandstateny.com/2/personality/rising-stars/40-under-40.html#.VaU72MZViko |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 14, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811013125/http://www.cityandstateny.com/2/personality/rising-stars/40-under-40.html |archive-date=August 11, 2015 }} In his first legislative session, he set a record for recent years for most bills{{Which|date=June 2023}} passed by a first-year Assemblymember, and tied him at fourth overall in the Assembly this session with 18 of his bills passing the Assembly and 16 of those also passing the Senate.{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/07/8571456/assembly-republicans-remain-margins-under-heastie|title=Assembly Republicans remain on margins under Heastie|website=Capitalnewyork.com|access-date=December 23, 2015}}

Following the expulsion of Dean Skelos from the New York State Senate, the Democratic Party selected Kaminsky as their nominee for his seat in the special election in April 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/nyregion/democrats-pick-ex-prosecutor-to-seek-senate-seat-left-vacant-by-skelos.html?_r=0|title=Democrats Pick Ex-Prosecutor to Seek SEnate Seat Left Vacant by Skelos|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=May 7, 2016 |last1=Burns |first1=Alexander }} On May 2, two weeks after the election took place, Kaminsky was officially declared the winner after defeating Republican challenger Chris McGrath by 886 votes.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Todd-Kaminsky-New-York-Senate-Win-Chris-McGrath-377839641.html |title=Democrats Take Over NY Senate as Skelos' Successor Certified |publisher=NBC New York |date=May 2, 2016 |access-date=May 7, 2016}} He was then sworn in the next day.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/kaminsky-sworn-in-replaces-convicted-skelos-1.11757690 |title=Kaminsky sworn-in, replaces convicted Skelos |publisher=Newsday |date=May 3, 2016 |access-date=May 7, 2016}} Kaminsky and McGrath faced off again in the November 2016 general election—this time for a full term. Kaminsky won that election by 6,422 votes, or approximately 5% of the electorate.{{Cite web |url=https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2016/General/Senate_11082016_Amend12212016.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105000617/https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2016/General/Senate_11082016_Amend12212016.pdf |url-status=dead }}

He resigned unexpectedly in July 2022 to work for lobbying firm Greenberg Traurig.{{cite web | url=https://www.wshu.org/long-island-news/2022-08-01/new-york-state-senator-todd-kaminsky-resigns | title=New York State Senator Todd Kaminsky resigns | date=August 2022 }}

Kaminsky's experience as a former federal prosecutor led to him becoming a leader on ethics reform in New York State politics and at the forefront of decision-making around recent corruption scandals.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/newer-legislators-led-charge-to-oust-speaker-silver-in-new-york-assembly-1422582359|title=Newer Legislators Led Charge to Oust Speaker Silver in New York Assembly|author=Erica Orden|date=January 30, 2015|work=WSJ|access-date=December 23, 2015}} As The Wall Street Journal wrote, "The confluence of federal prosecutors’ heightened interest in Albany and Mr. Kaminsky’s background has also vaulted him to prominence as Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature have grappled with whether and how to institute another package of ethics overhauls, which also happens to be the freshman lawmaker’s legislative priority." Kaminsky was appointed by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to a panel charged with finding an executive director for the Assembly's new ethics office.{{cite web|url=http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2015/02/heastie-names-search-committee-for-ethics-officer/|title=Heastie Names Search Committee For Ethics Officer|website=Nystateofpolitics.com|access-date=December 23, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wnyc.org/story/prosecutor-turned-assemblyman/|title=A Prosecutor Turned Assemblyman|work=WNYC|access-date=December 23, 2015}} Kaminsky also played a role in helping put together the ethics reform package that was proposed in March by the Assembly and Governor Cuomo.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/19/nyregion/in-ethics-push-cuomo-strays-from-his-formula.html|title=In Ethics Push, Cuomo Strays From His Formula|date=March 19, 2015|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 23, 2015}}

Kaminsky considers Hurricane Sandy one of the reasons for his decision to run for Assembly.{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/02/8561668/lawmaker-brings-prosecutorial-perspective-assembly|title=Lawmaker brings prosecutorial perspective to Assembly|website=Capitalnewyork/com|access-date=December 23, 2015}} Sandy hit the South Shore of Long Island particularly hard, destroying thousands of homes and other property. Like many residents in the area, Kaminsky was unsatisfied with the response from FEMA and NY Rising. Since being elected, Kaminsky has pushed for reforms to the NY Rising system, licensing for mold removal companies, and helped implement an information-sharing database in Nassau County to help better track abandoned properties.{{cite web|url=http://liherald.com/stories/Legislators-call-for-NY-Rising-oversight,67766|title=Legislators call for NY Rising oversight |location= Nassau County|work=liherald.com|date=May 29, 2015 |access-date=December 23, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A04759%7ctitle=Bills%7cwork=state.ny.us|title=Bills|website=Assembly.state.ny.us|access-date=December 23, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://liherald.com/longbeach/stories/kaminsky-announces-zombie-home-database-and-cleanup-plan,65906|title=Kaminsky announces 'zombie home' database and cleanup plan|work=Long Island Herald|date=April 8, 2015 |access-date=December 23, 2015}} Kaminsky also introduced a bill passed by the Legislature that would require quarterly reporting on unpaid claims and unresolved Sandy-related cases.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/legislature-oks-bill-requiring-reporting-on-unresolved-sandy-cases-1.10546498?pts=733147|title=Legislature OKs bill requiring reporting on unresolved Sandy cases|author=Yancey Roy|work=Newsday|access-date=December 23, 2015}} Another bill Kaminsky introduced, which would provide tax relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy who withdrew from retirement accounts to cover emergency payments, passed the Assembly.{{cite web|url=http://www.longisland.com/news/06-15-15/sandy-victim-income-tax-burden-bill-passes-assembly.html|title=Kaminsky Bill to Reduce Sandy Victims' Income Tax Burden Passes Assembly|work=LongIsland.com|access-date=December 23, 2015}}

Upon hearing that National Grid was going to reinstate fees for disconnecting and reconnecting gas lines – fees that had been eliminated after Sandy to provide some relief to homeowners affected – Kaminsky wrote a letter to National Grid on August 21 urging them to reverse the decision. On September 10, after weeks of talks, National Grid announced that it would continue its post-Sandy policy of not charging those fees, in a major victory for Sandy victims.{{cite web|url=http://liherald.com/islandpark/stories/National-Grid-agrees-to-roll-back-fees,71241|title=National Grid agrees to roll back fees - Island Park - LIHerald.com - Nassau County's source for local news, breaking news, sports, entertainment & shopping|work=liherald.com|date=September 10, 2015 |access-date=December 23, 2015}}

Damage from Hurricane Sandy was so extensive that the Long Beach Medical Center had to be permanently closed. Kaminsky lead the push to call on South Nassau Community Hospital, the new owner, to reopen a full-service hospital in the former hospital's place.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/long-beach-residents-want-fema-medical-funds-to-stay-in-city-1.10280901|title=Long Beach residents want FEMA medical funds to stay in city|author=JOHN ASBURY|work=Newsday|access-date=December 23, 2015}} In early August, Kaminsky announced that New York State had given approval for a 24/7 freestanding emergency department to open.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/health/todd-kaminsky-freestadning-emergency-department-at-long-beach-approved-by-state-1.10708246|title=Todd Kaminsky: Freestadning emergency department at Long Beach approved by state - Newsday|author=Ridgely Ochs|work=Newsday|date=August 5, 2015 |access-date=December 23, 2015}} The emergency department opened on August 10, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/post-sandy-emergency-medical-facility-opens-in-long-beach-1.10726491|title=Post-Sandy emergency medical facility opens in Long Beach|author=RIDGELY OCHS|work=Newsday|access-date=December 23, 2015}}

Todd and his wife Ellen, married since 2010, live in Long Beach with their children, Rafe and Rory.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/fashion/weddings/05tobin.html|title=Ellen Tobin, Todd Kaminsky: Weddings|last=Zlabinger|first=Michael|date=December 3, 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 30, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

Kaminsky is the great-nephew of entertainer Mel Brooks.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/20th-a-d-mel-brooks-robo-calls-for-kaminsky-his-relative-1.9560678|title=20th A.D.: Mel Brooks robo-calls for Kaminsky, his relative |author=Dan Janison|work=Newsday|access-date=December 23, 2015}} During Kaminsky's 2016 run for a seat in the New York State Senate the famed comedian recorded a robocall which was then employed by his nephew's campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/mel-brooks-robocall-great-nephew-state-senate-race-article-1.2597166 |title=Mel Brooks robocall for great nephew in state senate race |newspaper=New York Daily News |access-date=May 7, 2016}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.toddkaminsky.com/ Todd Kaminsky's website]

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Category:Assistant United States attorneys

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century American Jews

Category:Democratic Party members of the New York State Assembly

Category:Democratic Party New York (state) state senators

Category:New York (state) lawyers

Category:New York University School of Law alumni

Category:People from Lido Beach, New York

Category:People from Long Beach, New York

Category:University of Michigan alumni

Category:1961 births

Category:21st-century American Jews

Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature