A Democrat State Representative convicted of making harassing phone calls says he will not run for re-election. Michael Cataldo issued a statement Tuesday saying he is innocent, but will not run again in November. Cataldo’s lawyer, William Kutmus did talk with the media. Kutmus says Cataldo felt it was in the best interest of his constituents and his wife to not run for re-election.The top Democrat in the Iowa House called for Cataldo to resign his seat now. Kutmus says his client decided that was not the best course. Kutmus pointed out that Cataldo is not resigning and will serve out his term through January. Kutmus says he was disappointed with the verdict, because reasonable doubt was raised that Cataldo committed the crime. He says Cataldo was arrested in January and the phone calls continued until February or March. Kutmus says it didn’t make sense that “a guilty person would continue those kind of offenses.”He says testimony by a phone expert that Cataldo’s phone could’ve been cloned, also should have raised doubt for the judge.Cataldo’s written statement said he wants to get on with his life and does not want to subject his family to the ordeal of a campaign that would focus on the issue. Kutmus says his client is also thinking about his party.Cataldo will be sentenced later this month and could face 30 days in jail and a 200-dollar fine.
