Dick Dadey ridden hard and put away wet

I can't believe I actually agree with Rich Assonfire or Azzopardi.

Dick Dadey and his fragile ego are hypocrites.  Truer words were never spoken.

That Dadey is upset that the governor's people have not spoken to him about ethics reform is priceless.

Dick they've been giving you, Blair and the rest of the goo goos a mercy reach around for years and now you are upset that you have to jerk yourself off?  Too funny.   Look at the bright side at least this year when it comes to the goo goos and ethics reform the pleasure given will equal the pleasure received.

It's not like you were ever relevant when it came to changing ethics in NY government

I've ridiculed Dick for years  here are some of my favorites:

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/search?q=Dadey

But I don't remember seeing Dick at JJOKE meetings.  Too busy covering for the Gov in the old days when Steve Cohen was on his board.

Is Agata incompetant? corrupt? or both?

Good bit of reporting today by the Times Union's Chris Bragg on JJOKE.  You can read it here http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Disclosure-law-for-outside-income-often-ignored-9965589.php

Of course you could have read the idea for the story on the blog several weeks ago http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2016/09/transparency-in-ethics-is-like-giving.html

Normally I would complain that Chris did not give me due credit for the idea but at this point why bother everyone that matters knows Bragg will write whatever I tell him to.  Didn't you say that to your commissioners Seth Agata after the Times Union story about your fantasy fueled gift ban cases?

But I digress.

Bragg's story proves the point that I have been repeatedly making, new "ethics reforms" that always follow scandal do not matter because the people enforcing the laws are not using the disclosure we have.  And until the reformers start doing what Chris Bragg just did they never will.  Come on Blair Horner, Dick Dadey, Susan Lerner, Barbara Bartoletti join me in demanding Seth Agata's resignation and the dismantling of JJOKE.

Why didn't Seth Agata and JJOKE do what I did or Bragg did and look at what clearly are violations of the reportable business relationship requirements?  Is it because they involved trusted advisors of Governor Cuomo's staff ?  I THINK SO. 

And for that AGATA SHOULD RESIGN.

What did Walt "McClueless" McClure say?  "As has been said before, this agency continues to look at its processes and how to make them better on an ongoing basis."

BULLSHIT

McClueless first used that excuse when Agata and JJOKE whiffed on Percoco's disclosure.  You would think after Agata's horrendous performance at the press scrum after the last meeting he would have started to think about where I would strike next.  Hint Seth there are lots of things dealing with the Governors office you are ignoring.  But nooooo they didn't bother to research reportable business disclosures related to the governors staff.  They knew about them, they read my blog hell I even warned Agata personally over coffee that JJOKE was failing to use the disclosures it already had available.  I started talking about it wayyyyy back in 2013 http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2013/08/milgram-speaks-and-removes-all-doubt.html

And by the way this was an easy investigation.  It took me 30 minutes and 3 google searches.  It only took Bragg about 3 days and some phone calls.  How long would it have taken Agata if he wasn't incompetent, corrupt or both?

But he didn't do it because it would have embarrassed the governor.  Agata ought to think about some of the other ethics violations he is ignoring that relate to the executive branch.

For example Agata is pursuing lobbyists that donated to DiBlasio's One New York under the same bullshit theory of implied gifts that he is using to go after those lobbyists and clients that hire public officials children.  I seem to recall that the governor was identified with a group that ran lobbying ads back in 2011.  Would any lobbyists that donated to that group be guilty of making an illegal imputed gift to the Governor?  And speaking of public official's children getting jobs from lobbyists and their clients do you think Agata has looked into the 2nd floors children and where they work?  Heads up Agata that is what they call a brushback pitch in baseball.  Next one goes in your ear.

And just in case you think I am being a mercenary in getting rid of you?  Sorry no client is paying me to do it in fact I don't even represent any of the groups you are bullying in these gift cases.  I'm doing it because it is the right thing to do.

By the way have you shared with your commissioners the fact that you told me you advocated not to pursue the imputed gift theory while discussing it in executive session?

Was that confidential?

I actually hope those cases go to a hearing so they can get the minutes of your executive session and force you and your staff to testify under oath about your interpretation of the imputed gift theory.

One last thing Seth Agata.  As I told you before you should investigate yourself for your role in Cuomo's book deal as a violation of the Public Officers Law.  Don't say I didn't warn you.

And speaking of the book deal, Cuomo got paid by HarperCollins which is a subsidiary of The News Corp which is the client of a registered lobbyist.  Shouldn't there be a reportable business relationship report filed on that?  And do yourself a favor and research if Harper Collins and News Corp share directors and/or officers.  It might be relevant

AGATA MUST RESIGN

How long before Agata leaves?

It's been about 6 weeks since Seth "Igottagetoutofhere" Agata was named the head of JJOKE, after another national search and extensive interview process (one that I could not even make the cut for a preliminary interview - I wonder why?).  Now I wonder during that interview process did anyone at JJOKE consider that because of Agata's prior service as counsel to Governor Cuomo he would be in a difficult position as the head of the ethics agency charged with enforcing the ethics laws against the Governor and his staff?

I'm sure the gubernatorial appointees saw it as a plus.  Who better to protect them than one of their own.  Much like John Gotti would have picked Sammy Gravano to be the head of the organized crime task force.  But now Agata has to deal with a world where people are willing to ask the hard questions.  Preet is always lurking around Albany politics and as a result the John Gotti's of the Albany political world don't scare the rank and file like they used to.  As a result Sammy Gravano might protect John from the organized crime task force but can't help when bigger predators show up to hunt.

And in fact when those shark fins break the surface all the scavenger fish also show up to pick at the ravaged remains.

A quick explanation for those not quick enough to understand the analogies at play.  Cuomo is Gotti, Agata is Gravano, JJOKE is the organized crime task force and the media (specifically Casey "cut and paste" Seiler is the scavenger fish.   And before anyone says I am being Trump like in picking on Italians my wife is Sicilian, Agata is Jewish and if anything scavenger fish should be insulted by the comparison to Casey.

Having cleared that up think about this.  JJOKE is being criticized by Casey for some mythical policy that allowed Joe Percocco (continuing the analogy - Fredo from the godfather movie, a likeable idiot that damages the godfather thru avarice and stupidity.  As an aside Percoco should avoid fishing in small boats) not to file a 2013 financial disclosure report.  JJOKE's explanations ring false and Agata and Walt McClueless sound like operatives for the second floor.  All JJOKE should have done was apologize for not getting Percoco to file the 2013 report and then force Percoco to file or face stiff penalties after a public hearing (the equivalent of being sent to Vegas to work for Moe Green).  But noooo they just say it couldn't happen now. 

Here's the problem.  Since Agata has been publicly quoted on the issue we know he is involved in it.  BUT how can that be?  He was Cuomo's counsel when this all happened.  Shouldn't he recuse himself?  Doesn't he have a major conflict of interest?  I blogged before that Agata should investigate himself for his role in Cuomo's book deal.  Now I think Blair Horner and Dick Dadey should demand that JJOKE and it's commissioners be investigated for Agata's actions regarding Percoco, Howe and Howe's buddy that is a registered lobbyist for Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna unless JJOKE scrubbed his name already.

Seth, you have a major problem, you are conflicted as a result of your prior position, you have been and you always will be.  It should have been obvious to those that placed you in the job. 

My suggestion is if you want to stay (and I don't know why you would if you are just going to keep doing what those that came before have done) you need to publicly explain your thoughts on your conflicts.  Remember even Sammy had to do the right thing eventually.

Mrs. Agata can you straighten your husband out?

So I have it from a very reliable source that Seth Agata's wife is an avid reader of the blog.  Now she is Jewish so I'm guessing she either gets my neurotic side or she absolutely is disgusted by me.  I've been around a lot of Jewish women, including my mother so I know how I am perceived by that segment of society (it's also why I married a Sicilian).  In the hopes that she is a fan I am going to appeal to her to talk to her husband so he gets his head out of Dan Horwitz'z ass and doesn't repeat the mistakes of the executive directors that came before him.

At today's meeting he made a point to tell us how he has been on a listening tour of the good government groups and the various sides of the legislature, including the independent democratic conference aka Jeff Klein's I have to be a leader of something group.  How many times have I heard this same bullshit before?  If the good government groups and the legislature had answers we wouldn't need to keep replacing executive directors.  Changing the ethics laws is not the answer Seth.  YOU are the answer Seth, if your wife can get you to sack up and take control.  Blair Horner, Dick Dadey and Susan Lerner may make you comfortable but they are ethics losers, always were always will be (I kind of sound like Trump, huh?).

Todays meeting was a perfect example, instead of the inhumanely boring 30 minute lecture on the revolving door ban why not spend 5 minutes explaining how Joe Percoco violated that same ban and what JJOKE is doing about it.  That would have been memorable.  It also would have gotten you fired and into the private sector where you can earn the kind of living that will make Mrs. Agata happy.

See Mrs. Agata I am looking out for you.

No thanks necessary.

By the way Seth you meet with the good government groups but not with me?  Don't take this the wrong way but FUCK YOU.

You can pay for lunch next week.

A list of all the legislators doing the Spitzer with the media, lobbyists and/or their staff

How many of you actually looked at the blog expecting a list? 

I've written on this issue before http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2013/06/irresponsible-allegations.html

so instead

I'm going to channel that chickenshit no dick sackless wonder Dick (and he is a dick) Dadey and wait until after the media reports on it before I comment.

As an aside Dickless Dadey, why don't you tell us right now all you know on the issue.  I guarantee you would get front page coverage for a tell all on the issue.

Unfortunately Dickless Dadey is what is wrong with the good government groups and a large part of the media when it comes to ethics and integrity.  THEY ARE SCARED SHITLESS TO UPSET THE POWERFUL so they wait for someone else to wound and weaken the powerful and then they come out to strip the dead and dying of their valuables.

Read Teddy Roosevelt's speech about the man in the arena “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” 

Dickless Dadey is a cold and timid soul in fact he reminds me of the Arabs stripping dead soldiers in the opening scene of "PATTON".

Prove me wrong Dickless and join me in bringing a complaint about the new executive director of JJOKE, Seth "Yeti" Agata for misuse of his office in helping the governor get permission from JJOKE to write his book and for good measure for not investigating the governor's misuse of his office in promoting the book.

What do you say Dickless?  I'll be the fluffer and for once in your life you can provide the moneyshot.

Is anyone else amused?

By how absolutely clueless the good government groups are on ethics?

By how clueless certain members of the media (Casey Seiler) are on ethics and the good government groups?

By how many different ways the governor and the legislature can say fuck you to the good government groups?

Case in point, even though it was a "Watergate moment" (btw Blair that is a weak quote you should have gone with "it's time we learned the difference between chicken salad and chicken shit") the good government groups failed to focus on Cuomo's national search, that anyone who watches JCOPE knew would end up at the governors office (I admit I had Gagan not Agata but really what was the difference) and then to put the cherry on top vouched for Agata after the selection.   That idiot Dadey even said effectively Agata is the right man at the right spot at the right time.  Hey Dick how about you get the right man at the right spot at the right time to tell us his start date, his salary, how he will handle his conflict with the assembly, an explanation for his potential violation of the public officers law related to his role in Cuomo's book deal or why he filled out his financial disclosure report in the past incorrectly (Gagan had a similar problem)  JJOKE is already incompetent, installing a leader who can't fill out his own forms correctly does not bode well. 

And of course the Albany Times Union's punctuation police wrote the same old story about good government groups complaining about a lack of transparency during Blair's "Watergate moment"  News flash Casey try being a real reporter and getting Agata on the record about the questions his selection raises.  You might even pick up that thing they call a phone and call some people starting with Agata but move on to JJOKE commissioners past and present, you know, be a real reporter.

As for the Governor, those of us who know the players can only tip our hat to you and say you are a master at understanding what will and will not fly politically.  Agata will prove to be the wrong choice but who cares.  He will cover your ass and watching you tell the media and the good government groups to fuck off is worth the price of admission.   Knowing that they can't hurt you on ethics allows you to do or not do whatever you want on ethics reform.  But just remember there are some other folks that can hurt you quite a bit, they are the ones you can't tell to fuck off.

Dick Dadey has a short . . . memory

PreDICKtably DICK Dadey is all over the news saying this is the moment for ethics reform.  It's our Watergate moment.  What a DICK!!!

Since DICK can't seem to remember all the times he and his friends have DICKed up ethics reform and since it appears to be okay to just say the same things over and over again I've listed a selection of previous blog posts on the subject rather than writing anything new.

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2015/03/let-them-eat-cake.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-goo-goos-and-creelan-strike-again.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2013/02/dick-dadey-is-dope.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2012/10/things-need-to-change.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2011/02/leave-it-to-goo-goos-to-screw-up-ethics.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2013/10/senator-call-for-investigation-of.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2013/06/an-ethics-mulligan.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2013/04/whom-do-we-blame-for-new-yorks.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2012/06/duck-duck-goo-goose.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2011/02/look-but-dont-touch.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2015/03/when-governor-met-with-goo-goos.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2015/04/historic-ethics-reform-or-just-more.html

http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/2015/02/im-not-playin.html


I do have 2 constructive suggestions for the governor and the legislature if they want to take a step in the right direction and avoid more criminal prosecutions:

First, hire me to review your financial disclosure reports and provide you ethical guidance.  Pay for it from your campaign accounts and think of it as insurance or an ethical bullet proof vest.  I've been pitching this idea for years and a couple of legislators now former legislators have been honest enough to tell me that most electeds don't even want their wives to know their financial dealings (I get it)

But that brings me to point 2.

Simple fix to the disclosure requirements and one I would advise all legislators to do voluntarily right now.  ATTACH YOUR TAX RETURN TO YOU FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.  No question about where the income is coming from and conflicts would be disclosed for all to see.  Of course those that don't want to disclose their tax returns are probably the same ones that don't want to hire me to do their financial disclosure forms.

Thank god DICK Dadey is their to protect us.

A happy ending for the JERKOFF review commission

The long awaited review of JJOKE's operations has finally come out

YAWN

Once again proving in the world of ethical masturbation the pleasure given equals the pleasure received.

YAWN

Casey Sailer has the story here http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/242589/report-jcope-should-be-smaller-more-transparent/ but not having seen the press release I do not know if it is original reporting by Casey or another case of press release plagerism.

YAWN

I don't recommend you read the report as it's the same old same old retreaded pablum the shallow thinkers in the ethics world have been harping on for 3 years (and yes I mean the good government groups.)

Too big

Too secretive

Needs more money

YAWN

Well at least Patty Salkin's husband no longer has to fear losing state contracts if Cuomo gets pissed.  There is nothing in the report to upset anyone.  That is because there is nothing in the report at all.  JERKOFF was supposed to review and evaluate the activities and performance of JJOKE instead it wrote a 2nd graders book report without reading the book and dressed it up as a first year law students attempt at a law review article.  Lot's of foot notes and no substance.

While you shouldn't read it I have to since it is in my area of expertise (ethics not good government masturbation)

The report starts with a cite to Richard Rivkin (enough said, nice man but should be considered the father of ethical boredom and was neck deep in the Spitzer troopergate scandal as I recall) that "PIRA’s formal title has likely led to some of the criticisms surrounding the purpose and  performance of JCOPE."  Right, it is the name that lead to the criticism about the purpose and performance of JJOKE"  I criticize JJOKE more than anyone and I've never thought the Public Integrity Reform Act's title was the cause of JJOKE being ineffective.  IT'S THE PEOPLE STUPID

YAWN

But if JERKOFF says it's the name the least they can do is point to empirical data to back up their claim but NOOOOO we just get a conclusion without analysis.  I think JERKOFF's formal title as "The New York Ethics Review Commission . . .  commonly referred to as the JCOPE Review Commission" has likely lead to some of the criticisms surrounding the purpose and performance of JERKOFF.  WOW this is easy even a lawyer could write that.

YAWN

After a boring recap of how JJOKE was formed and it's legislatively mandated structure JERKOFF talks about their process and the limited number of people they reached out to.  They didn't include their reach around to me and my request for the type of data they should have asked for but never did.  The least JERKOFF could have done if they were going to stroke us was provide some ethics porn to help the process along.  The report provides no metrics, no data and none of the material a competent expert would need to review and evaluate the activities and performance of JJOKE with one notable exception they included material Blair Horner sent to JJOKE about his complaint regarding the Andrew Cuomo book deal.  Pay attention here Mr. Gagan the material provides a sound basis for investigating the book deal and for investigating JJOKE's actions in failing to investigate Mr. Cuomo.  It's found in the appendix at page 80 in the form of a letter from Ellen Biben to Seth Agata wherein JJOKE sets forth what Mr. Cuomo could and could not do as part of the book deal.  Point 2 states that no State property personnel or other State resources are utilized in producing or promoting the book like wise point 7 states the state official (Cuomo) does not advertise, promote or otherwise endorse the book while performing state duties.  I've blogged about Cuomo's promotion of the book while in his State office with the State seal over his shoulder and while on State time before do you think JERKOFF asked JJOKE or Biben or Agata about this complaint and violation?  They were on the JERKOFF reach around list but no mention of this potential ethical violation and JJOKE's failure to investigate it can be found in the JERKOFF report.  It would have made for a valuable case study but I guess that is asking too much of JERKOFF and it's volunteer lawyers with no budget.  Get a free haircut and it is going to look like a free haircut

Now we get to the body of the JERKOFF report.  They utilized a unique form for their review.  They tell us what they "heard" and then what they recommend.  I heard that JERKOFF was never intended to do an actual review and I recommend that the report they issue be used to wipe Volker's shriveled old ass.  Not very helpful I know so back to JERKOFF.

JERKOFF heard JJOKE is too big and recommends that the number of commissioners be reduced. but will not recommend a number.

EARTH SHATTERING and indicative of the depth of thought that went into this book report.  14 is too many?  How about just 1 and we can skip all this nonsense about anyone other that Cuomo having a say in what JJOKE does.  It's not the number IT"S THE PEOPLE STUPID

JERKOFF heard that people thought JJOKE should publish vote tallies on investigations and end the minority veto but will not recommend the disclosure of the identity of those commissioners that veto.

I just went limp.  What a bunch of pussies.  Let's keep protecting the problem guys  we can give lip service to transparency but when it comes to actually seeing whose doing the fucking . . . keep it behind closed doors.

I could do this for every point in the report but I'm putting my hand to sleep so just one or two more.

JERKOFF heard that JJOKE should be encouraged to adhere to the Freedom of Information Law and Open Meetings Law.  But JERKOFF only recommends that JCOPE review their policies regarding transparency.

That is particularly weak.  How about JERKOFF and all their bright lawyers determine if the existing statute provides a mechanism for JJOKE to disclose anything they want?  I've been making that argument for years.  And JJOKE lawyers say I'm wrong but never say why.  JERKOFF could have weighed in on that.  A law review article on my approach vs the JJOKE status quo would have been worthwhile but NOOOO just more bullshit from a bunch of ass clown lawyers who don't want to rock the boat.

One last example of how bad this JERKOFF report is.

JERKOFF heard that the threshold for lobby disclosure should be increased and recommended that it be increased from $5000 to $10000.

Why did you pick $10000? why not $15000 or $18000 or $20000?  My guess some good government group picked the number without the data to back up it's effect.  But not to worry I already did that for you a decade ago.  The lobby commission in 2005 I believe recommended raising the threshold from $5000 to $20000 after a statistical analysis established that at that level you would reduce the number of groups required to file  by over 25% while only losing under 10% of the total dollars reported.  I might not remember that actual statistics but it is an easy calculation to do as compared to picking $10000 out of Dick Dadey's ass.

LAZY

I could go on and on with how useless this report was, is and will be and I'm sure I will revisit it because just like a JERKOFF I am sure of 2 things I like it and I am going to do it again.

When the governor met with the goo goos

It has been reported that the governor met with Blair Horner and Susan Lerner today to talk ethics reform.  Fortunately everybody at the capital is wired nowadays and we have the radio intercept equipment to eaves drop on the meeting.

Lerner: Hey Blair isn't this cool the governor is asking for our opinion on what should be in the ethics reform bill.

Horner: Easy big fella I've been here before.  These motherfuckers will tell us one thing and then do another.  All they want is our quotes for there press release that this is the strictest ethics reform in the nation.

Lerner: I know the last 3 times we did ethics reform they had my quote written for me before the bill language was even released.  Not this time though I'm going to insist that I actually see a bill before they use the quote they write for me.

Horner: Why isn't Dick Dadey here?   That's a bad sign it must mean he's already been rolled.

Lerner: And Barbara Bartolletti too that bitch was on Moreland and didn't do squat.

Horner: What did you want her to do? tell us what she knew? It's all confidential remember that.

David Alfonso: Thank you so much for coming in I wanted to share with you the quotes we've prepared for you to release in our press release on ethics reform.

Lerner: Not so fast I'm not making that mistake for the 4th time I need to see the bill language.

Alfonso: Well we don't actually have any language but I can assure you it will be the strictest ethics reform in North America.

Horner: What will it say? you know for an administration that preaches transparency you are as open as a nuns knees.

Alfonso:It will be the strictest ethics reform in the world.  But we can't tell you what it is because you may speak to reporters about it.

Horner:  Of course we will we are good government groups we have to be open with the public.  Transparent and honest no matter how many times we fuck up ethics reform.

Knock knock and the governor peeks his head into the room.

Cuomo: How is everything going?  Alfonso get off your knees you only have to bow and genuflect when we are alone.

Lerner: If at all possible we would like to see the bill language if it's not too much trouble.

Cuomo: Not a fucking chance but trust me it will be the strictest ethics reform in the known universe.

Horner/Lerner: that will be great this is a historic opportunity for ethics reform.

Cuomo to Alfonso: How dumb are these two? We do ethics reform every year.

OK great meeting guys go tell the media that you are fully behind the strictest ethics reform in the cosmos.

So what do the pillars of transparency do after the meeting?

They tell the press they can't talk about what was discussed.

Bobbleheads one and all

Groundhog Day

It has been reported that "Albany Andy" emerged from his mansion in Albany and saw his shadow so we will have 6 more years of corruption in our state government.

That was going to be the start of a blog that did a takeoff on the Bill Murray classic "Groundhog Day" but when I googled Albany ethics reform to get some juicy quotes I was laughing so hard I couldn't write a word.

So lets play a game I'll list some quotes below and you tell me are they editorials? statements from elected officials? or statements from good government groups?

If you think you are right then guess if they were made pre 2010? 2011 to 2014? or After Shelly's arrest?

Get more than half right and you win a "ALBANY GOT CORRUPTION? tee shirt.  Let's try a sample:

"What makes it even worse is that the Legislature’s rules on reporting outside income are so weak that the public had no way of recognizing a scam like this one. As State Senator Daniel Squadron, a Manhattan Democrat, puts it simply: “Nobody’s minding the candy store.”

We are not suggesting that Mr. Silver has done anything illegal. But without robust disclosure requirements, it is impossible for the public to know whether a lawmaker is maintaining an unbreachable wall between his or her private practice and public service."

 

That's from a New York Times editorial from 2009 . . . 2009 for Christ's sake!!!!  Do you think in the six years after they wrote that editorial the crack investigator's at the Times might have been able to figure out if "Mr. Silver has done anything illegal"?

 

OK if you got that one right try this one:

 

 

"At some point, New Yorkers have to ask themselves whether they want lawmakers with outside jobs. But there is a lot that needs to be fixed right now, including limits on whose money legislators can accept and rigorous public reporting requirements for all outside income.

The corruption in Albany has to end."

 

Give up?  has to be a googoo or an elected in the last week right?   NOPE same editorial in the Times from 2009.

 

See what I mean about laughing so hard you cry.

 

Here's an easy one

 

 

 

"But Cuomo’s inclusion of the reform proposals in the budget raises the stakes, said XXXXXXXX, executive director of the advocacy group XXXXXXXX.

“This is big news,” she said. XXXX had high praise for Cuomo’s campaign finance proposals"

 

Fill in the blanks are usually easy  This one was Susan Lerner fro  wait for it . . . I'm not going to tell you do your own Google search

 

Here's a harder one:

 

 

"“What ethics reform says to the people of this state is, ‘I get it. I get that that’s wrong,’” he said"

along with:

 

 

XXXX said he wanted to leverage the current scandals to pressure lawmakers to pass the reforms quickly.

"I want to strike while the iron is hot," he said. “A crisis is a terrible thing to waste."

 

Don't worry Governor in Albany there is always another ethics crisis right around the corner Now the tough part was this leverage Moreland? or a pay raise or a refusal to pass the budget?

 

And my personal favorite:

 

 

"While no legislation can prevent someone from committing a corrupt act, using one's public office for personal gain is never acceptable," he said in a statement. "In light of the charges brought last week by the U.S. Attorney against members of the Legislature, we must redouble our efforts to create a government New Yorkers can be proud of."

I'll give you the author it was "Albany Andy" the tricky part was which year?  Lets make this multiple choice 2011 or 2013 or 2014 or 2015?   It's like an ethics SAT test.

Correct answer  2013

Try another

"We'll be getting ethics reform one way or the other," Cuomo said.

Correct answer  2011

 

And this Preet gem is from ?

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who has been involved in previous prosecutions of state lawmakers, said a mouthful: "Every single time we arrest a state senator or assemblyman, it should be a jarring wake-up call. Instead, it seems that no matter how many times the alarm goes off, Albany just hits the snooze button."

See how the Bill Murray movie would have been perfect hit the snooze button and tomorrow will be the same as today  LOLOLOLOL  the year? 2011

I'll leave you with my favorite quotes below   they are from the governors press release in 2011 do you think any of the people quoted should be taken seriously in the future on ethics?

Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY said, "The ethics reform proposal that the Governor and the legislative leaders have hammered out announces significant, long-awaited changes in the framework of New York's ethics laws. It addresses challenging ethics issues such as disclosure of legislators' outside income and external review of legislative and executive conduct and includes important new provisions such as regulating independent campaign expenditures and providing the public with relevant information about who is paying for certain groups' lobbying activities. Common Cause/NY commends the Governor, Speaker Silver, and Temporary President Skelos for their perseverance in unraveling what has for decades been the Gordian knot of ethics reform. We look forward to working with them to accomplish the remainder of the Governor's reform agenda - campaign finance reform and fair redistricting."

Steve Younger, Former President of the New York Bar Association said, "This is an historic moment for all New Yorkers. This new measure will enhance transparency in our government and ensure both independent and fair enforcement of our ethics laws. Today's agreement on comprehensive ethics reform is a tribute to Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Skelos and Assembly Speaker Silver."

Dick Dadey, Executive Director of Citizens Union said, "Today's announcement on a far-reaching ethics deal is welcomed and significant. It is an important and much needed achievement because it brings about several historic actions such as the first-ever client and rainmaker disclosure by legislators, narrower bands of income disclosure, publicly available financial disclosure statements, outside investigatory authority of legislative ethics, pension forfeiture options, as well as a reconfiguration of the state ethics panel resulting in no one elected official controlling a majority of the appointments. Governor Cuomo, Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Dean Skelos deserve praise and our appreciation for reaching agreement on a remarkable milestone in the effort to restore public confidence in the way in which business is conducted in Albany. Hopefully now with stronger disclosure, and more effective oversight and enforcement of state ethics, winning back the public's trust in our state government will be possible."

Russ Haven, Executive Director of the New York State Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), said, "These ethics reforms for the first time will open a huge window on the outside work and pay of state lawmakers. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and these disclosures will allow New Yorkers to judge whether a legislator's private job creates a conflict with their responsibilities to the public. The legislation also ensures that no one political leader controls the state's ethics and lobbying oversight commission, a substantial change from the current system that gives the governor the majority of votes, a longstanding issue of concern to government watchdogs. And since democracy is a work in progress and it is impossible to fully anticipate the technical, legal and political changes that occur in government at an ever-increasing pace, this legislation wisely incorporates an independent review process that will require a 'look back' at the features and performance of the law after it's been up and running for a while."

Lawrence Norden, Deputy Director of the Brennan Center for Justice's Democracy Program at NYU School of Law, said, "The Brennan Center applauds the Governor and the Legislature for reaching this important agreement to bring needed reform to the state's ethics laws. Among many positive changes, the agreement announced today will bring unprecedented transparency to Albany, including much fuller disclosure of public officials' outside income. Loopholes in existing laws in this area have been abused by some unethical officials. We are especially pleased that these gaps will be closed. We look forward to working with Gov. Cuomo and legislative leaders to help put this proposed legislation on the books, and we encourage full public hearings on the proposal as soon as possible, so that experts and the public can review and comment on the legislation. Today's agreement lays the foundation for the renewal of New York's government. We look forward to working just as hard with Gov. Cuomo and legislative leaders on the next crucial elements in changing Albany: rebuilding our campaign finance system and establishing a voluntary public funding system to end the domination of New York politics by special interests."

Sally Robinson, Issues and Advocacy Vice President of the League of Women Voters of New York State said, "The League of Women Voters of New York State applauds Governor Cuomo, Speaker Silver, and Majority Leader Skelos for coming together to complete this historic ethics agreement which will strengthen oversight protections and achieve significantly greater transparency in our state government. For the first time there will be an external investigatory body for the state legislature and disclosure of outside income. This ethics legislation will begin the journey toward restoring public trust in the integrity of state government. We look forward to working with the Governor and the legislative leaders next session to complete the remaining parts of the League's reform agenda."

For thirteen months, I've traveled the state calling on our government to take action on the three basic, fundamental reforms our government needs, including meaningful Ethics Reform, said Former New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch. Standing in Buffalo, I called for outside income disclosure; in Long Island I called for disclosure of client lists; and in Albany I called for a state ethics commission with teeth. Today, I'm proud to congratulate Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Legislative leaders for reaching an agreement on a proposal that will accomplish these goals. Thanks to them, the 138 Legislators who signed the three New York Uprising pledges will be able to honor the ethics portion by casting a vote on the bill described today, and I will be asking them to do so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUNE 14 2013

That was the date that I posted on the blog that JJOKE should be investigating a whole bunch of unregistered lobbyists, among them the state democratic committee.

Don't say I didn't give everyone a heads up

Here's what I wrote

Unregistered lobbyists does JJOKE care? does the media care? why should I care?

Back in the old days this time of year brought lots of unregistered lobbyist cases to investigate. All I needed to do was listen to the radio, watch television, drive around and see the billboards. Old habits die hard and I still make note of all the lobby ads and occasionally see who isn't registered. I wonder if anyone at JJOKE does that? I wonder if anyone in the media does?

Well it's not my job and unless someone is paying me to help or hurt an unregistered lobbyist I should just mind my own business, but old habits die hard so here is one last list of unregistered lobbyists I'd be looking at if the lobby commission still existed. Hope it helps whomever still cares about this sort of thing.

Artists Against Fracking - Yoko Ono . . . hot issue celebrity involvement make it a good case to look at http://artistsagainstfracking.com/

Fair Elections for New York coalition . . .hot issue celebrity involvement make it a good case to look at http://fairelectionsny.org/dontcomehome/

New York State Democratic Party . . . it doesn't get any bigger possible gift to public official is a bonus http://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/video-gov-andrew-cuomo-s-clean-up-albany-television-ad/article_d65fc416-b80c-11e2-b68b-001a4bcf887a.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Feminists Choosing Life of NY Action, Inc. . . the top issue today http://statepolitics.lohudblogs.com/2013/04/10/anti-abortion-billboards-coming-soon-to-albany-interstates/

I could go on and on but for anyone interested its a good start and for JJOKE it represents 10 Vito Lopez investigations worth of time and energy

"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us"

Senator calls for an investigation of Governor's office

I never thought I would be saying this I AGREE WITH SENATOR LIZ KRUEGER

Read Senator Krueger's quote in the New York Times:

"If what was reported is true, that there are people in the governor's office who have directed the commission not to follow through on subpoenas, that is worthy of it's own investigation."

It's actually a very easy investigation to perform.

The Moreland Commission has 3 co-chairs who approve subpoenas.   Put all 3 under oath and ask them about the issue.   For good measure ask the other Moreland Commissioners what they know.  And then to put icing on the cake ask Barbara Bartoletti to disclose to the public what is going on.  Barbara should have done that already without an investigation.  All those years being a goo goo calling for more disclosure and she finally gets to work in the sausage factory and doesn't tell us how the sausage is being made.  Another goo goo hypocrite co opted  and joining the list of Dadey and Lerner.

Anyway once you get the under oath testimony you will know if anyone in the governor's office violated the Dopp provisions of the Public Officers Law or if anyone on the Moreland Commission committed perjury during the investigation.

The only problem is the investigation would have to be commenced by the governors wholly owned ethics agency JJOKE.   JJOKE to investigate MOREJOKE?  That doesn't seem likely . . . or does it?

Remember JJOKE is now split internally between the cut dog gubernatorial appointees and the newly empowered legislative employees.

All it takes is some of the legislative employees to bring the issue up in a public session and we are off to the races.

Or JJOKE can do nothing and play right into the media perception that MOREJOKE is a rigged game.

How bad can these folks get at doing the PR spin surrounding ethics?

Maybe I should send Susan Lerner and Dick Dadey a strongly worded letter explaining how foolish they look. . .

One last thought on MOREJOKE and money in politics  How about the following as the theme song for the governor's birthday fundraiser?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6xp54Y39uM

It's not Marilyn Monroe at the Garden but hey you gotta start somewhere

The Wandering Dago

And no we are not talking about the state police code name for the Governor's helicopter.

Why would the blog care about an ethnically insensitive name on a food truck?

I love food trucks and the wandering dago's menu looks delicious but there is a significant ethics issue related to the wandering dago.

What am I talking about?

No not the use of the helicopter to fly to the Adirondacks to float down a river . . . although that might be worth looking at.

No I'm talking about a Cuomo appointee, Bennett Liebman, use of his official position to  secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for others.  A clear violation of the Public Officers Law.

It was Liebman using his official position that provided NYRA the motivation to ice the wandering dago.

Now Darren Dopp never tried to harm a wandering dago, although Joe Bruno, an Italian-American that traveled quite a bit on state aircraft, might disagree, but Dopp never the less was investigated by the Public Integrity Commission and ended up paying a significant fine for his actions related to his official position.

I know I would sleep a lot better if JJOKE did a thorough investigation of Bennett Liebman's role in this whole wandering dago fiasco.

What do you think Dick Dadey? Susan Lerner? Barbara Bartoletti? Blair Horner?

If Dick "dummy" Dadey traded his integrity to the governor for financial support would it be a reportable business relationship?

No surprise Dick "dummy" Dadey clarified his position on the "Milgram" rule today.

I'm sure he got the same phone call Milgram did.

And I'm sure the rest of the JJOKE posse that lack the ability to have an independent position that differs from what the 2nd floor demands are frustrated today that the media thinks the "Milgram" rule was created to shelter the Duffy house purchase from criticism.

And while I think my last blog clearly established how wrong the "Milgran" rule was, afterall it was in direct contradiction to JJOKE's own guidelines, FAQs, training materials and Ellen Bibens public statements, let me provide some additional examples that according to JJOKE and Dick "dummy" Dadey would not be required to be disclosed as reportable business relationships under the "Milgram" rule.  Remember these are hypotheticals to the best of my knowledge.

Dick "dummy" Dadey promises to provide Governor Cuomo a case of rare spark plugs for the governors old car in return for the Governor paying $5000. The spark plugs are not available to the general public at any price.

Dick "dummy" Dadey promises to provide Governor Cuomo the use of his luxury vacation home in return for the Governor paying $5000. The home is not available to the general public at any price.

Dick "dummy" Dadey promises to provide Governor Cuomo ethics compliance consulting in return for the Governor paying $5000. The consulting is not available to the general public at any price.

Dick "dummy" Dadey promises to endorse Governor Cuomo's ethics reform legislation in return for the Governor paying $5000. The endorsement is not available to the general public at any price.

Dick "dummy" Dadey promises to clarify his public statement about the Duffy home purchase in return for the Governor paying $5000. The clarification is not available to the general public at any price.

or how about the following

Dick "dummy" Dadey trades what is left of his integrity to the Governor in return for the Governor's promise of support for Dick's organization.  Wait that would not be reportable because Dick's integrity is worthless.

I think you get the point.  The "Milgram" rule's reliance on the flow of money only going in one direction, from the lobbying entity to the public official, is just wrong.  It's not what the law says, it's not what the JJOKE guidelines say,  it's not what the JJOKE FAQs say,  it's not what the JJOKE training materials say, it's not what Ellen Biben said, it's only what the powers that be want it to say now that the Duffy house deal is being questioned.

And unfortunately the media once again is missing the point.  You need to ask why would Milgram change his quote, why would Dick need to clarify his position, why are the JJOKE commissioners refusing to go on the record to explain the "Milgram" rule.  I think the answer is they were told to use their official position to provide an unwarranted exemption to the reportable business relationship disclosure for the Duffy home purchase.  And that would be a violation of the Public Officers Law.

I'd like to know what Susan Lerner thinks.

I'd like to know what Barbara Bartoletti thinks.

I'd like to know what Russ Havens thinks.

They all had supported the reportable business relationship requirements, is this what they thought it would be?

I'd like to know what the JJOKE commissioners think, do any of them have the guts to explain the "Milgram" rule in public?  in a forum where I can debate them?  I'm ready willing and able anytime anywhere.

This is just one more pathetic example of how controlled JJOKE and the good government phonies are.  Sonny Liston would be proud.

Try a little sunshine

JJOKE has a meeting tomorrow.

The agenda has not been posted but my vast network of insiders, spys and present and/or former commissioners and staffers tell me that the selection of the next executive director will be discussed in executive session.

I wonder will one of the commissioners make a motion to discuss the status of the search for the next executive director in public session?

Now that would go a long way to starting JJOKE down a different path.

I can almost guarantee that the vast majority of legislative appointees would love to see Horwitz explain why Latitzia Tagliafierro is his choice.

Horwitz could explain why all the other applicants have come up wanting in one way or another.

Horwitz could further explain that it has been 2 months since Biben left, it is almost 4 months since she announced she was resigning.

Even an average group of commissioners should have been able to recruit a decent executive director in that amount of time.

Hell I could do it in under a week even if you limited the field to those presently working for the executive branch.

Come on Horwitz admit I gave you a better name than Latitzia.  In fact why don't you share it with the other commissioners. . . I have.

Anyway if someone were to make that motion (hint hint Gary) I'm sure it would pass and a little sunshine might even seep in to the windowless star chamber they use for JJOKE meetings.

And then we can see what it will take to get Governor Cuomo's Moreland Commission to operate in the public eye.

After 6 years of failed ethics reforms you would think someone would finally realize you can't do this stuff in secret and expect a good result.

Cudos to Ken Lovett for starting to pull the curtain back on Regina Calcaterra and the Gov's Moreland Commission.  I wonder does Regina have to file a financial disclosure report?  Who is paying her and how much?  Does she have outside income?  What did she spend her campaign donations on? Will she look at the unreported lobbying activity that has occured with the state democratic party tv ads? With Yoko Ono and the Artists against Fracking. With Susan Lerner's source of funding disclosures? 

The fact that she asked Dick "dopey" Dadey for the lay of the land means it's going to take her both hands and a gps just to find her own rearend.

And while we are speaking of her rearend thats where the Moreland Commission SHOULD begin.  They should investigate all campaign, lobby and disclosure filings of members and staff before they start the do as we say not as we do investigations.  Just a thought.

FORE . . .play

Well yet another case of sexual harassment by a member of the legislature is in the news.

It's weird but Susan Lerner and Dick Dadey haven't filed a complaint with JJOKE yet.

For that matter the gov has not said publicly that JJOKE should investigate.

If I was Vito Lopez I'd be claiming he was targeted for some reason other than his being a pig.

Remember I did warn you that if JJOKE started investigating sexual harassment under the Public Officers Law it would be a slippery slope to a rocky bottom.

There is supposed to be a JJOKE meeting next week to ram thru the new Executive Director vote maybe by then JJOKE can leak that they are investigating this new case of sexual harassment.

As an aside Insider X has returned and told me a very interesting tale.  As always I can not speak to the truth or veracity of the account but it is thought provoking.

Insider X claims the 2nd floor has a mole in the Assembly.  This mole is well placed to know what's going on and to report back to the 2nd floor.  The mole supposedly got caught up in the Lopez investigation and was represented by counsel with ties to the 2nd floor.  1 + 1 quickly added up to 2 for the mole and he got himself clear of the Lopez case.  Now Assembly secrets go straight to the 2nd floor.   Might explain how the most recent sexual harassment complaint that has not been investigated by JJOKE got to the media.  

Doesn't sound plausible to you?  Ask David Patterson if it could happen.

If Joe Bruno was smarter or less of an old school standup guy he'd learn a lesson and do the same thing.

De Ja Vu all over again

Here we go again one ethics official resigns in disgrace after failing to right the sinking ship and we are looking for a new captain for the Titanic of ethics a ship that government has tried to convince us was going to be unsinkable. . . again.  And on the heals of more indictments today we learn that the legislature (both republican and democrat, Senate and Assembly) has charged that JCOPE exceeded its authority in Gropergate and wrote a report that went far afield of the questionable subject of JJOKE jurisdiction over sexual harassment in the legislature (for those that read between the lines it basically is saying Cuomo got JJOKE to take a shot at the legislature)

Rather than say the same old thing over and over I'm going to save myself the trouble and just reprint previous blogs on the subjects.  Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.  Someone smart said that and I'm too bored with the process to look up who . . . but it's never been more true than when it comes to New York and ethics.  Just ask Biben, Ginsberg, Tietelbaum, DiFiore, Chercasky, Feerick, Cuomo, Patterson and Spitzer.  Who will be next?  Horwitz?  I hope not I've been told some of his friends read the blog . . . the old Morganthau mafia is still intact.  Anyway here are some thoughts from prior transitions and previous investigations of the investigators (with new comments in bold).

Do it right the first time (from November 2011)

The new Joint Commission on Public Ethics (J-COPE) is supposed to be fully operational by December 12th.

But let’s be real: Two weeks isn’t much time to get organized.

The new commissioners, have to be named soon and they will need all the help they can get. And in that spirit, I offer the following tips:

1. You’ll be in a rush to get going, but first things first. One of the easiest ways you’ll trip up is by failing to disclose everyone’s potential conflicts of interest. Such conflicts are inevitable. In most cases they aren’t a big deal, but before someone (like me) points out the conflicts and they become a news story, do it first along with a plan to address the situation through recusals. The previous ethics agency was riddled with conflicts and it showed, they even had commissioners that were part of lobbying firms. This group expanded the conflict problem by having elected politicians (since resigned to pursue reelection) commissioners hiring relatives, those who got friends and friens of relatives hired, commissioners who failed to disclose their own clients and another executive director with a spouse employed by a registered lobbyist.

2. You are the ones who should name the executive director, not the administration. You won’t be doing yourselves or the Governor any favors if you rubber stamp his selection. Your predecessor commissioners made this mistake and they were all tarnished (Teitebaumed) as a result. And take your time it is the single most important decision you will make as commissioners. The executive director will make or break this new agency.

3. In this same vein, you need to make a clean break with the current E.D., Barry Ginsberg. Keeping him on as an acting or advisory staffer would compromise you. Remember his role in Troopergate – as exposed by the Inspector General, and remember his rogue activities over the last several months when the Public Integrity Commission was supposed to have been suspended. The reason the Public Integrity Commission was a complete failure and embarrassment was the people, Barry represents all that was bad before. No question where Biben came from or how and I hear the governor is trying to do it again.  The process should be done in public so that we can tell where the next executive director really came from.

4. There are some good people left at the agency who can form the nucleus of a new team. These individuals want nothing more than to restore the reputation of ethics enforcement in New York. But don’t take Ginsberg’s word on who should be hired or retained. Make your own determination based on an individual’s record. Anyone in a policy making position that did not stand up and try to make the old Public Integrity Commission do the right thing should be let go and quickly. You don't need institutional memory from the top staff, they are the ones that will tell you to do it the wrong way because thats the way they have always done it you need a fresh start and the top staff needs to be terminated before they have a chance to shape policy in a new agency.  They didn't listen and looked what happened

5. Most importantly, be open about your official deliberations, and do everything you can to adhere to the clearest and highest standards of law. Your predecessors were a complete joke because they did everything in secret and because they made up the rules as they went along. This isn’t just my opinion. Everyone in the ethics community was shocked by the commission’s actions. You can and must operate differently. I'll be sending you requests for opinions and complaints that heve been ignored by the old regime, that will be my test to see if its a new era of ethics enforcement in Albany or just more rhetoric.  They failed miserably

6. And finally listen to the non lawyers on the panel, they have a unique perspective that will serve the new commission well it’s called common sense something most lawyers in government have lost a long time ago.  Not a lot of common sense exhibited in the last year

 

 

What Cuomo could learn from Spitzer (also November 2011)

We are closing in on the end of the Commission on Public Integrity. (See our handy, dandy count-down clock at the top of the page.)

There’s never been a more ironically named entity. In fact, I think that history might record this experiment in ethics enforcement as the single worst idea of Eliot Spitzer.

Yeah, I think it is actually more egregious than using the state airplane to travel to Washington to bump uglies with a whore.

Think about it. Spitzer’s downfall was a lesson in what? Hubris? Probity? Morality?

Oh, come on. That’s a lot of after-the-fact, holier-than-thou BS.

Spitzer could have survived his sexual indiscretion if he had people willing to defend him. But in the end, he had nobody. He had alienated too many people with too many ill-conceived actions.

This includes me. I lost respect for Spitzer in early 2007. Why? There were functioning state ethics and lobbying panels in early 2007. The system wasn’t perfect, but it was more than passable. In fact, I like to believe that, while I was in charge, there was aggressive and independent enforcement of lobbying laws.

But then Spitzer ushered in the era of Feerick, Teitelbaum and Ginsburg. A short while later New York was a national joke regarding ethics and lobbying enforcement.

Only in New York could a state Commission on Public Integrity become the subject of a scathing report by the state Inspector General for repeated breaches of public integrity.

That was ’08. Fast forward to today, Feerick and Teitelbaum are gone in disgrace, but the third Musketeer is still at it. That’s right, Barry Ginsberg, cited in the Inspector General’s report for his Troopergate transgressions, is carrying on Spitzer’s ethics legacy.

Get this: Since the governor signed legislation abolishing the commission and placing a stop work order on all investigations, discipline and opinions, Barry and the remaining staff have been thumbing their noses at everyone.

Without any authority to do so, they’ve continued actions like auditing lobbyists. They are sending threatening letters and emails to people demanding that they comply with their directives. The only problem, again, is that Barry has no authority. The commission is supposed to be engaged in ministerial duties only -- not enforcement activities.

I know for a fact that Barry and his crew are engaged in such activities because they’ve been harassing some of my clients.

Sooooo, what should be done now? Well, this is Governor Cuomo’s watch, and he needs to do two things.

First, he ought to slam dunk Barry. Enough of his rogue activity. COPI has no authority to act, so Ginsburg’s activities must stop. And any thoughts of providing Barry a soft landing should be shelved, the appearance would be one of buying his silence, let him talk after all what could he say? That he failed to fulfill his responsibilities? Instead he got Barry a job at Tax. . . I wonder why

Second, Cuomo needs to understand the Spitzer lesson. (No, not that lesson.) He needs to fully comprehend that he is responsible for ethics and lobbying enforcement. It’s his legislation, his panel. As such, it is imperative that he picks the right people to staff it, and the right people to sit on the board. Talk about calling your shot . . it's clear that JJOKE is wholly the governors problem and I hate to say I told you so but it was easily predicted.  Don't let ethics derail your future governor its time to try something different before those indictments start hitting closer to the second floor it's almost too late

And I know the Governor and the Legislature want to coordinate the naming of their respective appointees to the new panel. But learn from the past, having a big press conference and ceremonial first meeting like Spitzer, Feerick and Teitelbaum did will not solve the problem. It only provides video footage that the media can run every time there is a story about the latest scandal involving the appointees. There is a lot of work to be done in a very short period of time (has anyone thought of what you need to do to build a new agency?) Pick some normal, non lawyer, non controllable ordinary citizens to be commissioners, find a fearless aggressive leader to appoint as the Executive Director and then take the moral high ground and hold them accountable to one commonsense standard of “do the right thing”.  Complete failure on this point

As much as I’ve been pressing for action to constitute a new panel, I know that it has to be done right. Hopefully, the governor will appoint qualified people who are truly independent.

Fail to do that governor and you will repeat the Spitzer experience.



And in light of todays revelations regarding Gropergate and JJOKE jurisdiction

Calling All Cars Calling All Cars (from September 2012)

 

Car 54 where are you?

 

Now I may be dating myself (does anyone else remember the classic cop show Car 54?) But we’ve reached the point in gropergate that the call to all those with a vested interest in ethics in New York needs to go out.

 

Recent columns in the Times Union by Fred Lebrun and Casey Seiler have for all intents and purpose put out the call that something very similar to the old troopergate phenomenon is occurring.

We need to investigate the investigators.

On the road to that investigation three things are going to happen.

One: At the end of the day the various investigations into gropergate will conclude that Vito Lopez is a pig, duh. EASY and true double duh

Two: the various investigations will conclude that the settlement was legal, proper and ethical if poorly handled by all involved, duh. Based on todays NYTimes I got this right also

And Three: the public will conclude that JJOKE is far from an independent watchdog, but rather an attack dog following its masters commands duh. God I'm good at this stuff

Now DA Donovan and JJOKE can handle issues one and two but who can do the thorough, complete and wide ranging investigation that is needed to get to the bottom of issue three?

Let’s start by discussing who can’t do it.

Unfortunately the statute gives jurisdiction to investigate the divulging of confidential JCOPE information to the Office of the Inspector General.

Now I know Dick Dadey and the goo goos have said that they (and Jeremy Creelan) couldn’t think of anyone better but with all due respect (if you say that you can follow it with whatever you want) that’s complete horseshit.

They set it up for the Inspector General because the IG works for the Governor, duh.

Everything wrong about gropergate so far can be traced back to the simple fact that the governor has far too much control over JJOKE both in statute, in reality and most importantly in perception.

In this case the problem is made crystal clear in Mr. Lebrun’s column and in Ravi Batra’s rambling prose.

The IG CANNOT investigate leaks at JJOKE that may involve former members of the IG (Biben et al) and the current governors staff that the IG reports to (even the Spitzer minions realized that in troopergate).

But someone needs to investigate. The statute should have been drafted for the AG to investigate leaks from JJOKE (didn’t the AG during troopergate do a good job?) but it wasn’t and because gropergate involves the AG he needs to stay out of this one.

And that brings me back to where I started, calling all cars.

I think we need to hear from the good government groups about what they think. Curiously after filing complaints in gropergate not a peep. I wonder if anyone suggested they file those complaints hmmm maybe that’s why they are so quiet.

I think we need to hear from the governor, he was pretty adamant about JJOKE investigating what happened in gropergate why stop now?

I think we need to hear from ex governor David Patterson. He said he has a lot of experience with ethics agencies leaking. Of course he has a lot of experience with fibbing too so after a second thought no need to hear from Patterson.

I think we need to hear from the JJOKE commissioners past and present. Marvin Jacobs started the ball rolling at the last meeting, don’t stop Marvin keep it rolling demand an internal investigation of the leaks. Even John Feerick did that in troopergate he made every PIC employee sign an affidavit that they did not divulge confidential information, everyone but his executive director who it turns out had a good reason for not signing his since he was the leaker.

I think we need to hear from Ellen Biben. An honest statement that she has not discussed this investigation with anyone outside JJOKE would go a long way to putting this matter to rest . . . if you believe her.

I think we need to hear from Albany County DA David Soares that he will not ignore his jurisdiction over JJOKE leaks. You did a good job in troopergate, , , eventually. Mr. Soares this is not a difficult investigation. Get Biben's emails, text messages and put her under oath let’s see what the facts are.

And I think we need to hear from the Inspector General or the acting Inspector General or someone in that office. Tell us why you can investigate JJOKE and that we can trust you to do it independently.

AND WE DIDN"T HEAR FROM ANY OF THEM BIG SURPRISE HUH?

I guess all I can do is keep transmitting a distress signal “calling all cars”