From the Desk of Sen. Craig M. Johnson: Stopping Public Corruption
Port Washington senator drafted legislation to investigate and prosecute public corruption.
The public is angry and so am I.
Albany has been gripped in a web of investigations, scandals, and, in some cases, outright criminality. This bi-partisan shame has been allowed to fester due to a generations-old bi-partisan compact that ties the hands of those best equipped to root out public corruption.
Not many people know this, but the New York State Office of the Attorney General – despite having ample resources – does not have the power to initiate public corruption cases.
They can only be referred cases by local district attorneys. Nassau has a great DA's Office, but, by and large, most local prosecutors simply do not have the resources to investigate public integrity claims.
As a result, wrongdoing is allowed to thrive and everyone – including Port Washington residents – pay the price.
This Albany-style slight of hand needs to end.
That's why I drafted legislation, (S.7599), to give the Attorney General's Office sweeping new powers to investigate and prosecute public corruption.
My bill gives the sheriff with the most deputies and the most expertise the authority to hold bad actors accountable and to help end the dysfunction that has gripped Albany for decades.
I modeled this measure on the Martin Act, which currently allows the Attorney General's Office wide latitude to pursue financial fraud. That statute has proved extremely effective in cracking down on Wall Street malfeasance.
Since I have introduced this bill, this idea has been gaining steam.
Democratic and Republican candidates for Attorney General alike have vowed to pursue this expansion of the office's powers as a necessary step toward restoring public confidence in our state government.
I agree.
My proposal, coupled with my legislation to ensure that disgraced public servants will no longer enjoy their taxpayer-funded pensions (S.6823B), will go a long way toward reforming Albany.
Senator Craig M. Johnson
Arthur Welser
9:22 pm on Sunday, August 22, 2010
What kind of non-sense is this? Truth of the matter is Prime Minister Sheldon Silver (who continues to refuse to bring tort reform to the Assembly floor), Personal Injury Attorney Sheldon Silver, his attorney-assemblyman friends, Senator Johnson and 19 of 20 of his State Senator colleagues continue to practice law while in office and will still be doing so after passage. There is a very hard line to prove whether a client pays $500-$1000/hour for services, a Senators ear or his vote.
Even with passage of this bill, Senators and Assemblyman will continue to hide behind client-attorney privilege.
Senator Johnson needs to discontinue practicing NYS law while in office and propose real legislation prohibiting the practice of NYS law while in office by his colleagues
Bob
9:35 am on Monday, August 23, 2010
Being a state senator or assemblyperson is considered to be a part time job. So our representatives need other jobs to be able to raise a family in communities like Port Washington. If you are willing to increase their pay and then define their job as full time, you can limit their outside activities. Until then, we are stuck with the current system and they have to be allowed outside jobs.
Patrick Gibson
1:10 pm on Tuesday, August 24, 2010
I'd be excited if Senator Johnson would craft a bill to stop the unfunded mandates he always votes for that cause skyrocketing property taxes. All the talk about combating corruption rings hollow when you compare it with Senator Johnson's record of irresponsible spending.
Scott Model
6:23 am on Thursday, August 26, 2010
It is a start, but that is just the beginning of what needs to be done. The next thing is the Albany needs to clean house and put on the table a real agenda to get things done, instead of the parties bickering and playing like 3 year old children. As far as I am concerned whoever is in office right now whether Republican or Democrat must go.
John Russell
2:30 pm on Friday, September 3, 2010
98% of incumbents get re-elected. As far as I am concerned, 98% of the politicians in Albany need to be removed.
When I contacted Senator Johnson about how outraged I was about Hiram Monserrate's actions , instead of coming out against him, he hid behind some bureaucratic excuse instead of standing up against Monserrate.
If the average Joe Schmoe did what some politicians do, we would be in jail, instead of walking free. Look at Rangel, if that was me and you we would be behind bars now, instead he is just going to be reprimanded. What a disgrace.
Rob
9:15 am on Saturday, September 4, 2010
If i remember it right, Johnson said Monserrate should resign, and then voted to kick him out of Albany.
John Russell
10:03 am on Saturday, September 4, 2010
Ultimately he did, but it wasn't until all the politicians finally did the right thing and he had political cover. He should have stood up right from the beginning.
The state of politics in New York and the country is disgraceful. Politicians are elected and paid to act on behalf of the people, all they do whether they are Republicans or Democrats is do what is best for them personally.