Issues: Ethics

State Sen. John Sampson charged today with embezzlement, obstruction of justice, witness tampering 

Kennedy: Immediate action is needed to reform state government and clean up Albany. There’s no time for delay, and there is no room for excuses.

ALBANY, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, says Albany needs to immediately get to work on stronger laws to prevent public corruption. With another state official now facing serious criminal charges, Kennedy is urging swift action on legislation to stiffen penalties against corruption and to clean up Albany.

Albany, NY (April 29, 2013)—Today, New York State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced the Federal Corruption Loophole Closure Act (S.4807-A) and another bill (S.4836), which together close loopholes in the Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011 that exempted most elected officials in Albany who are convicted of felonies related to their elective office from forfeiture or reduction of their pensions.

Since 1999, 20 Albany politicians have resigned or lost elections after run-ins with the law or ethical failures – and that number may climb higher after the recent political scandals.    

In total, the state has paid out $4.3 million in pension costs to 14 of those 20 individuals. 

Kennedy: Crooked politicians shouldn’t be able to pay their debt to society behind bars while simultaneously being paid by the very society they ripped off. It needs to stop.

ALBANY, N.Y. – The Senate Democratic Conference today unveiled a tough legislative ethics package designed to reform state government and combat the ongoing corruption issues facing New York State. The Conference also announced their support for the principles of the Governor’s legislative package the “New York Public Trust Act.” 

“The events of the past few weeks have shown all New Yorkers more must be done to clean up Albany,” Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “Public corruption and the abuse of power by elected officials is a serious problem that must be confronted and eliminated. I urge my colleagues in the Senate Republican Coalition join with the Senate Democratic Conference to clean up Albany.”

April 12, 2013 - Today, Senate Co-Leader and Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and members of the IDC proposed sweeping reforms to New York State’s current campaign finance laws. The IDC’s proposal would introduce a comprehensive system of public campaign financing under which all qualifying candidates would be eligible to receive public matching funds. Under the IDC’s plan, candidates opting not to participate in the public financing system would be required to participate in a completely overhauled campaign finance system.

"A spate of recent allegations and arrests involving downstate elected officials have given every New Yorker pause and reason to question the integrity of their elected representative government in Albany. Elected officials are empowered by the people and entrusted to honestly advocate on their behalf. This is a central compact that allows democratic government to function and flourish."

Assemblyman Karim Camara, Chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus issues a statement after Governor Andrew Cuomo nominated Sheila Abdus-Salaam to the Court of Appeals:

Albany, NY – "We applaud Governor Cuomo for nominating Sheila Abdus-Salaam. It is fitting that she will be the first Black woman to serve. Justice Abdus-Salaam has already showed her commitment to defending our legal system throughout her decades of service. We congratulate her on her nomination and history making achievement. We believe Ms. Abdus-Salaam is highly qualified and deserves a swift confirmation."