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	Attorney Officially in Congress Race John Aretakis Says Protecting Children Will Be His " Signature Issue" By Robert Gavin Albany Times Union April 9, 2008 http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=679291&category=REGION&newsdate=4/9/2008 COLONIE — On Sept. 6, when a federal judge asked attorney John Aretakis to explain the basis for his client's lawsuit, he cited public knowledge, news articles and his belief that the government had wasted "a lot of money." "Congratulations," U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe replied that day. "Why don't you run for the Senate or president of the United States and do something about it?" Seven months later, Aretakis is making a run for Washington. The 47-year-old Democrat formally announced plans Tuesday to run for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island. Six other Democrats and two Republicans also are running for the 21st Congressional District seat, which includes all of Albany, Schenectady, Montgomery and Schoharie counties and parts of Rensselaer, Saratoga and Fulton. If elected, Aretakis said his agenda would include pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq and not caving to special interests. He also supports term limits. But he identified his "signature issue" as protecting children from sexual predators. He said he would push for stronger and more uniform laws. "No one in Washington, D.C., is standing up for children," Aretakis told reporters at the Hampton Inn on Route 9 in Latham. Aretakis, who has filed clergy abuse lawsuits against the Catholic Church, said he would actively seek support from Catholics. "I will not be conceding one vote," the attorney said. Aretakis said his primary residence is in midtown Manhattan, but he is regularly in the Capital Region where he has part ownership in homes in Saratoga County and North Greenbush. If elected, he said, living locally would not be a problem. Aretakis' wife, Nia Cholakis, and his parents, Artie and Angela, who live in Latham, attended Tuesday's announcement. "I'm very supportive of what he's doing," said Cholakis, a former Republican North Greenbush town justice. In 2003, she campaigned as a Republican for Rensselaer County judge. "He's much more suited for a campaign than I was ... he's been tested." Aretakis has been the focus of controversy surrounding his work as a lawyer representing alleged victims of clergy abuse. He was introduced at the press conference by Mark Lyman of Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. "I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say, 'John, why don't you run for political office?,"' Lyman said. Earlier this year in Albany County Court, Aretakis' client in a murder case criticized the attorney as he was to be sentenced. Christopher Oathout, convicted in December of killing 69-year-old Robert Taylor in 2006, claimed Aretakis threatened not to act on his behalf unless Oathout dropped a complaint he made against Aretakis. At the same court proceeding, Chief Assistant District Attorney Mark Harris threatened to sue Aretakis after he accused Harris of allowing false testimony into Oathout's trial. Aretakis no longer represents Oathout. On Tuesday, Aretakis defended his representation of Oathout and said Harris had no grounds to sue him. On the day that Sharpe jokingly suggested that Aretakis seek federal office, the federal judge also ordered the attorney to pay a $10,000 sanction for filing a baseless lawsuit against the the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese, Catholic Charities and the U.S. government on behalf of a refugee from Hurricane Katrina. Aretakis is appealing. Robert Gavin can be reached at 434-2403 or by e-mail at rgavin@timesunion.com.
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