New York – A federal prosecutor says the arrest of the New York Senate leader is more proof that public corruption is a chronic problem in the state.
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U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara (buh-RAH’-ruh) spoke Monday at a news conference after Dean Skelos surrendered with his son to face charges including extortion and soliciting bribes.
Bharara said: “As the Complaint charges, in six counts, Dean Skelos unlawfully used his power and influence as Senate Majority Leader, repeatedly, to illegally enrich his son, Adam, and indirectly, himself. And, more specifically, the Complaint, in multiple places, alleges that Dean Skelos’s support for certain infrastructure projects and legislation was often based, not on what was good for his constituents or good for New York, but rather on what was good for his son’s bank account. By now, two things should be abundantly clear. First, public corruption is a deep-seated problem in New York State. It is a problem in both chambers; it is a problem on both sides of the aisle. And second, we are deadly serious about tackling that problem.” Bharara added.
Attorneys for the men did not immediately return messages for comment.
Dean Skelos became New York state’s most powerful Republican official when he was elected in January as majority leader. He previously shared the post from 2011 to 2013.
Read here the full complaint.
In a statement, Skelos said he expected to be exonerated at trial.
“I am innocent of the charges leveled against me. I am not saying I am just not guilty, I am saying that I am innocent,” he said. A lawyer for his son did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
According to court papers, some evidence was obtained through court-authorized wiretaps on cellphones used by the father and son.
The complaint said Dean Skelos bragged to his son recently in one conversation after he was re-elected majority leader in January, a post he shared with another senator from 2011 to 2013: “I’m going to be president of the Senate. I’m going to be majority leader. I’m going to control everything.”
There is one detail in the article that is certainly incorrect. It is headed by the remark that corruption is a problem in New York State. Fools! Politics corrupts everywhere. Look at Washington. Look at other countries. There are almost daily stories of politicians getting arrested, caught with infractions of every sort. Some eventually return to face the people and apologize. Others fight to the finish and their end. Some actually get away with murder, and continue to screw the public. But a politician, by definition, is corrupt.
I don’t know that its corruption. Its called politics as usual. Its part of the business. I fear that all these crack downs will chase away talent. I mean lets face it you can’t really earn too much being just a politican. The pay ain’t that great. the money comes form the perks. If every perk and connection will be scruntinzed like this noone will want to be a politican.
Look at the Clinton foundation and how Hillary & Bill were taking money that directly influenced her actions while at State!
Why don’t the Feds get her? Because the Feds are controlled now by the Democrats & Hillary now is their strongest candidate!
That’s the kind of corruption that makes New York look honest!
Skelos was supportive of the drive to repeal the rent laws in NYC. It’s no surprise that the tenant lobby had him taken down.