Democratic district leader Albert Baldeo lashes out, dismissing federal fraud rap as 'discriminatory and vindictive crusade'

Albert Baldeo, the disgraced Queens Democratic district leader who was charged this week with campaign fraud, is fighting back.

Baldeo’s lawyers sent out a statement late Wednesday accusing federal prosecutors of “overreaching,” and said they were engaging in a “crusade” that was vindictive and discriminatory.

The feds announced earlier Wednesday that they were charging Baldeo, 52, with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, obstruction of justice and several related counts, all stemming from his 2010 bid for City Council.

Prosecutors say Baldeo used straw donors in an effort to qualify for matching campaign funds when he ran for City Council in 2010. They also said he threatened contributors who cooperated with investigators.

“The government’s crusade against Mr. Baldeo is particularly vindictive and discriminatory given that past history reveals that more sinister conduct alleged against establishment candidates often resulted in civil administrative proceedings — and not criminal cases,” the statement read.

The statement was emailed to reporters from Baldeo’s account but referred calls to his lawyer, Henry Mazurek.

An additional statement from a group called “Concerned Leaders of South East Queens” goes a step further, calling the government’s prosecution of Baldeo a “witch hunt.”

The statement goes on to say that the charges send “the wrong message to minorities that we will be vilified and destroyed if we run for office.”

Baldeo, a Guyana-born immigration lawyer, had worked hard in recent years to establish himself as a political and community presence in Richmond Hill and Ozone Park, but several of his failed attempts for office have been mired in controversy.

In 2005, the wife of political rival Robert Mahadeo accused Baldeo of threatening her with a gun. Baldeo countered by pressed charges of his own, accusing Mahadeo of threatening him.

He flirted with running for state Senate in 2008; the move upset the Queens Democratic Party, which was backing Joseph Addabbo Jr. for the spot.

At one point, Baldeo hinted he would drop out of the race if the Queens Democratic Party backed him for a judgeship.

After weeks of blasting his would-be Democratic rival, Baldeo agreed to endorse Addabbo.

In 2010, he was one of seven candidates who ran in a special election to fill the seat of deceased City Councilman Thomas White Jr.

His fundraising practices in that election drew the attention of investigators.

“Baldeo was so focused on securing a position with the New York City Council that he was willing to break the law to increase his chances,” said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in the statement issued Wednesday.

Baldeo’s camp remained confident that he would beat the charges.

“We intend to vindicate Mr. Baldeo’s good name and commendable civil service,” his lawyers said in a statement.

lcolangelo@nydailynews.com