The backlash is beginning. A member of the county Independence Party is asking the Monroe County District Attorney's Office to investigate payments from Democratic Congressional candidate Jack Davis to the wife of the former party chair.

Davis paid Blanca Colon $5,000 to serve as a political consultant, but has since severed ties with her. After the payments came to light, Blanca Colon's husband, Rafael Colon, was forced out as committee chair. During a press conference today, founding party member Steve Corryn asked the DA's office to investigate what party officials believe are "criminal acts."

Paying a registered nurse with no political consulting experience $5,000 to serve as a political consultant does look fishy. But she also served on the county Independence candidate selection committee, and voted to endorse Davis, says a deposition by Corryn, which he released today.

The District Attorney's Office hadn't received a formal request as of this afternoon, says DA Mike Green. Once it arrives, the office will review it and, if staff decide a criminal investigation is warranted, will likely refer it to a police agency.

If the DA does move forward with an investigation, it would be the second district attorney's investigation into Davis's Congressional campaign. In Niagara County, the district attorney is reviewing alleged petition fraud by a Davis campaign worker.