Albany, one of the most corrupt state capitals in the United States was recently hit with another scandal involving a top politician as Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos stepped down from his leadership role on Monday, May 11th as allegations of corruption against Mr. Skelos continued to plague his leadership position. “It was the right decision to step aside, I was a distraction” Mr. Skelos said on Monday regarding his decision to step down on Monday. The allegations included using his influence as the top politician in the state to get payments for his son, Adam B. Skelos who was also arrested on federal corruption charges last week.
The allegations against the now former leader include pressurizing a real estate developer and environmental to pay his son $200,000 in payments for support of infrastructure and legislation passage.
Karen Scharff who is the director of Citizen Action of New York said on Monday that New York is in the middle of “a statewide governmental crisis”, regarding the allegations against Mr. Skelos ( Mr. Skelos’ stepping down means that he is the fifth straight majority leader in to have corruptions allegations leveled against him.).
According to a report done by the state integrity website which focuses on corruption within Governments ranked Albany 37th out of 50 states and with an overall grade of D, with Ethics enforcement getting a grade of F.
“Albany for a long time has had a culture of self-interest, where private gains are woven in with public policy” Susan Lerner said, who is the executive director of Common Cause in New York whose statement on their website said the organization is dedicated to “ restoring the core values of American Democracy, reinventing an open, honest and accountable government that empowers ordinary people to make their voices heard.
Albany, Rhode Island and South Carolina are other states that have had similar charges brought against top politicians in their state. “While I’m a proud New Yorker and want my state to be ahead in everything, I’m not sure we’re ahead on corruption” Columbia Law professor Daniel Richman said regarding Mr. Skelos and the corruption allegation against him.
While he was a leader in the New York State senate, Mr. Skelos’ main message was that of reducing taxes, controlling government spending and helping the private sector create new jobs. Fellow Suffolk County native, John Flanagan will take over the leadership position in the New York State senate.
“I think it is important that people be able to have faith in their government, and I want to work to the largest extent possible to help effectuate that” Mr. Flanagan said on Monday upon taking over the leadership role.
Prior to Mr. Skelos stepping down, Sheldon Silver a Democrat from Manhattan was accused of taking $4 million in a kickback scheme and had to resign from his assembly leadership position early this year.
Mr. Skelos has defended his innocence on all charges leveled against him. Ultimately, it is in the best interest of the citizens’ in the state of New York for the politicians to clean up their act in Albany and for them to create an honest government that the citizens of the Empire state can trust and believe in.
TJM says
Always terrific insights