Gov. Cuomo’s anti-corruption panel voted Tuesday to subpoena state lawmakers who have outside income of more than $ 20,000, setting up a potential showdown with the Legislature over the panel’s investigatory powers.
The commission had previously sent out letters in August asking legislators to voluntarily disclose information about their outside work to uncover potential conflicts between their public and private duties.
But leaders of the Legislature balked and lawyered up.
The so-called Moreland Commission counterattacked Tuesday.
“The commission voted today to aggressively move forward in compelling production of information into specific matters that the commission is investigating,” co-chairs Kathleen Rice, Milton Williams Jr. and William Fitzpatrick said in a statement.
“The mandate of the Moreland Commission, among other things, is to examine abuse of office by public officials and misconduct while in office. Our investigation includes examining New York state legislators and their connections to outside business practices.”
The panel is set to issue a preliminary report on Dec. 1.
The commission’s aggressive move left no doubt that the gloves are off between Cuomo, who appointed the 25-member panel, and the Legislature.
Spokesmen for both Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) and Senate GOP leader Dean Skelos (R-Nassau) gave terse no-comments when asked about the subpoenas.
Silver pulls in up to $ 450,000 a year, mostly as a lawyer for the powerful tort firm Weitz & Luxenberg.
Skelos made $ 250,000 last year and also has an outside law gig.
It was unclear how many subpoenas were issued. There are 130 lawmakers who have outside income of more than $ 20,000.
One legislative source said the battle lines are drawn.
“The legislators say they already disclose what the commission is asking for. In addition, they cite separation of powers. It’s going to get ugly,” the Albany insider said.
Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara has called Albany corruption “pervasive” following a string of prosecutions.
A conga line of state lawmakers has been indicted or convicted in pay-to-play corruption scams and other crimes in recent years.
Yahoo Local News – New York Post
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