DRAFT - CONFIDENTIAL

September XX, 2010

VIA FAX: 718-596-4013

Hon. Vito J. Lopez
Chair, Kings County Democratic County Committee
16 Court Street, Ste. 1207
Brooklyn, NY 11241

Dear Sir:

Pursuant to the invitation you extended to me on September 20th to meet

and discuss ideas for helping Brooklyn's Democratic Party, I am writing
to express my interest in doing so and my intention to make an
appointment to meet with you after the November General Election.

However, I was sorry to learn that you are now the subject of multiple
investigations at different levels of government - federal, state and
municipal. At a time when the Democratic Party in New York State - and
nationally -- is under attack, and at a time when the confidence and
trust of voters with regard to their elected officials is extremely
low, I cannot see how your role as leader of Brooklyn's Democrats can
be optimized when there are some critical questions and investigations
that will require answers and resolution. Your focus will undoubtedly
need to be on these cases.

As you mentioned in the Executive Committee meeting, this year's

General Election is upon us and we in Brooklyn have some important work
to do. The potential distractions that exist for you can only detract
from the organizing work that needs to be done. Furthermore,
Brooklyn's work on behalf of our statewide candidates should not become
a campaign issue for Republicans. Unfortunately, this is more likely
to become a reality if you do not take affirmative action. Staten
Island District Attorney Donovan has already indicated his willingness
to use your situation as a "political football."

While I certainly believe that you are entitled to the presumption of

innocence with regard to all of the legal matters that have emerged,
and I sincerely wish you the best in addressing them, I also believe
that at this point in time it would be very prudent of you to take a
leave of absence from your position as Chair and allow another District
Leader - preferably one who does not double as a public elected
official - to serve as Interim Acting Chair until such time as these
investigations are resolved.

There are precedents for this step, most notably U.S. Representative
Charles Rangel's decision to relinquish his title as Chair of the House
Committee on Ways and Means pending the outcome of investigations
involving him. Rep. Rangel's decision was made in the interests of the
Democratic Party and his constituents. I am asking you to consider
these same interests and to take appropriate - and hopefully temporary
-- action.

Accordingly, I am formally requesting that, pursuant to Article V,

Paragraph 3, Section (B) of our governing Rules, a Special Meeting of
the Executive Committee be called on or prior to October 17th to
discuss these matters, to provide you with advice as to how to proceed,
or to take whatever other actions are deemed necessary.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Respectfully,

Chris Owens