Tracking Patronage & Corruption in New York State Politics (BETA)

Posts tagged Corruption

Federal Court Unseals List of Officials Huntley Recorded for FBI

May 08, 2013 ~ Written by admin

The New York Times reports today that:

According to a document released on Wednesday by a federal court in Brooklyn, Ms. Huntley invited the lawmakers to her home and then photographed them and taped the conversations. Among those recorded were Senators Eric Adams of Brooklyn, Ruth Hassell-Thompson of Westchester County, José Peralta of Queens, Velmanette Montgomery of Brooklyn, John L. Sampson of Brooklyn and Malcolm A. Smith of Queens. Senators Sampson and Smith have been charged with corruption in separate cases.

Ms. Huntley also recorded a city councilman, Ruben Wills, of Queens, and two political aides, Curtis Taylor, a former spokesman for the Senate Democrats, and Melvin Lowe, a former Democratic campaign consultant.

The Times also reports that Councilman Wills claims that the FBI has informed him that he is not a target of an investigation.

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The Parade of Corruption Continues

May 08, 2013 ~ Written by admin

The New York Daily News is reporting today that:

A day after state Sen. John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) was charged with embezzlement, prosecutors Tuesday revealed that eight unnamed people are “the subjects of ongoing criminal investigations.”

The eight individuals all spoke to former state Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) while she wore a wire last summer for federal prosecutors investigating corruption.

One of the eight is Sampson, sources said. A majority of the seven others are elected officials. The rest have ties to some of those officials.

Sadly, this is not shocking news when it comes to the ingrained culture of corruption in New York politics.

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John Sampson Indicted for Embezzling Over $400,000 From Foreclosure Sales and Used a Mole to Try to “Take Out” Federal Informants

May 06, 2013 ~ Written by admin

State Senator Faces Charges After Corruption Inquiry, NY Times (May 6, 2013).

According to the NY Times, “Sampson is accused of embezzling about $440,000 in funds involving the sale of foreclosed properties that he kept for himself instead of returning to court officials in Brooklyn. Mr. Sampson, who is a lawyer, was serving as a referee in the sale of the properties.”

Meanwhile, the New York Post is reporting that Sampson attempted to use a personal relationship with a Department of Justice employee to identify and then “take out” federal informants against him:  State Sen. John Sampson allegedly used US Attorney staffer to track embezzlement probe: feds, NY Post (May 6, 2013)

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The Dominos Just Keep Falling

May 03, 2013 ~ Written by admin

The New York Post is reporting that “Brooklyn federal prosecutors are now investigating three unnamed elected officials in a political corruption and influence-peddling probe after former New York state Sen. Shirley Huntley secretly wore a “wire” recorder for the FBI and taped meetings with them that revealed evidence of criminal wrongdoing.”

The prosecutors specifically referenced a State Senator and two other elected officials.

As the Post also points out in the article, Federal prosecutors are known to be investigating numerous other New York elected officials, including: New York state Assemblywoman Vivian Cook,  state Sen. John Sampson,
and U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks.

When will the madness end?

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Malcolm Smith: The Happy Face of Bi-Partisan Corruption

Apr 03, 2013 ~ Written by admin

These days, we should all be happy when our elected officials reach across the aisle to get things done.  Of course, in New York state politics, the one thing that helps everyone get along is money.  And for the right amount of money, New York Republican leaders will allow a shady Democrat to bribe his way into the Republican primary for New York City mayor.  Really?!  Who thought this was a good idea?

Here is the federal complaint against Smith and Co.  No one can really say that they’re shocked that Smith is involved in yet another corruption scandal.  As the New York Post so helpfully summarizes:

The 56-year-old Queens Democrat was a central figure in a bid-rigging scandal involving the awarding of franchise to run the racino at Aqueduct race track.

Smith’s name has surfaced in federal investigations involving his pal, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), and he has been criticized for ties to New Direction Local Development Corp., a nonprofit that has faced questions about what happened to money it raised for Hurricane Katrina victims.

A married father of two, Smith in 2006 was accused of fathering a love child with a former staffer. He has since said the case has been settled and that he is supporting the child financially.

Wow.  What a guy.

Anyway, Smith and his Republican friends must have been tired of hearing how Illinois had the dumbest corrupt politician:  Governor Rod Blagovevich, who tried to sell President Obama’s old senate seat. Honestly, if it’s proven, this has to be one of the most insanely dumb plans ever.  Ever.

Anyway, now we can safely say that New York has regained its rightful place at the top of the dumb corrupt politicians pyramid.  Let’s hear it for Malcolm Smith and for New York!

Thank you, Mr. Smith, you are the reason that this blog exists!

 

 

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