Lester Chang insists on proof of residency to retain New York Assembly post

Brooklyn Republican Lester Chang insists he has proof he’s met residency requirements ahead of last month’s impressive election win over longtime Congressman Peter Abbate, Jr. (D-Dyker Heights).

“I am personally offended that anyone is questioning my honor and integrity,” Chang said Saturday at a rally in Sunset Park, where he was joined by fellow Republican politicians and supporters.

Chang spoke for the first time since State Assembly Democrats announced their efforts to prevent him from taking over the 49^th County seat in southern Brooklyn.

He admitted he previously shared an apartment in Manhattan with his wife – but vowed he was a lifelong Brooklyn resident with dual residency at his childhood home in Midwood.

Democrats stink about Chang’s residence because he voted in Manhattan last year, but his attorney, John Ciampoli, said Chang voted there that day because he is a US Navy veteran and was in the district for official business.

Sources familiar with the case later showed The Post some of Chang’s financial records, which appear to confirm he met the requirement to live in Brooklyn 12 months before Election Day this year.

The Assembly’s Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing in Albany on December 19 to consider the matter ahead of a possible January vote by the full Chamber.

If the assembly votes to boot Chang, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul could call a special election to fill the seat. That could open up a way for Abbate to retake the seat he won in 1986 despite his disgruntled 48.6%-47.49% loss.

Other participants in Saturday’s rally included Brooklyn Republican Chairman Ted Ghorra, Councilman David Carr (R-Staten Island) and former Republican mayoral candidate and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa. Throughout the event, supporters routinely chanted “Lester won!”