Buffalo lawmaker chastised for relationship with intern
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- September
- 26
  Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver just announced that he would take action against Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-Buffalo, for what the bi-partisan Assembly Ethics and Guidance Committee unanimously decided was an “inappropriate personal relationship†with an Assembly intern.
  Silver said he notified Hoyt today that he is banned from participation in any Assembly internship or student mentoring program. He must discontinue the internship program he runs from his Buffalo office.
  Silver said he was “deeply disturbed and disappointed” by Hoyt’s actions. “Student interns come to the Assembly because this setting provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the legislative process and New York’s political landscape. It is absolutely unacceptable for any Assembly member to behave in this manner, or to do anything else that damages the integrity of the intern program.â€
  The Ethics and Guidance Committee’s report said Hoyt had a relationship with a 23-year-old intern who started in 2003 and stayed until early 2005. The Assembly adopted a policy against fraternizing with interns in 2004, following cases in which several other lawmakers had relationships with interns.
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on Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 3:34 pm by Cara Matthews.
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His penalty? He can no longer participate in mentoring programs. One hopes that Silver will provide funds for a suicide watch.
Another Democrat in Action. Silver has found religion. He didn’t have any when it came to his own staff guy and I believe two sex cases a few years ago.
Somehow, unless it’s a little joke of sorts, the word “chastised” seems unusual to use in this headline.
I guess Greg Ball will soon have his day before the ethic’s committee. I guess if they dispensed discipline on a democrat, then Ball will also be “chastised” or “disciplined”
Sounds like a slap on the wrist. Never thought about this stuff but how would you ever fire an elected representative if they are hired (elected) by the people? Who is Greg Ball that poster wrote about? Another slap on the wrist case?
There is no reported proof of the accusations against Ball so it’s hard to predict any punishment at all since in this case there was verifiable proof. Who knows though. Silver dislikes Ball so he could use this to bury him.
To expand.
In the Hoyt case there are physical e-mails and Hoyt’s own admission to the affairs. It is rumored but not entirely confirmed that the two women were interns but the affairs occurred after they left his office. Either way the punishment from Silver is due to the evidence and Hoyt’s admission.
In Greg Ball’s case there has been no reported evidence other than the womans accusation of a phone call indiscretion which Greg Ball denies. If there is some definitive proof of the comment he has allegedly made then a punishment will come but beyond that this womans claim is ultimately a “he said she said” argument.
Besides the issue with the woman, I understand that Greg Ball is also being looked at for violating Assembly rules. The NYS Assembly has rules that direct that no Assemblyman member be allowed to use any video footage from the NYS Assembly Chamber for campaigning. Greg Ball has violated this rule several times, he violated it with video’s he placed on Youtube and he violated it when he used the clips in commercials.
Ball has shown over and over that he believes the rules do not apply to him.
Just because Mr. Silver may dislike Mr. Ball, if would be hopeful that any possible investigation be done properly. Alas, if there were witness to this incident, it would then be validated. To that end, those that might have heard anything would be questioned, one would think and they would be most truthful.
There is more,
Is there a source for this? I can’t find anything on it. What I do know is that in Federal cases video shot on the floor of any public government assembly hall like Congress is considered Public Property and it can be used on YouTube or in other ways.
I am aware of Ball’s campaign video he sports on his website which shows a clip from the NY floor but is their proof the extended video on YouTube was posted by his people?
video was posted on YouTube by Ball staffer Matt Neuringer and is used in campaign commercial. A clear violation of Assembly rules.
“No portion of the televised proceedings (either live or taped) authorized pursuant to this section may be utilized for: 1. campaign or political purposes or to promote or oppose a ballot issue or the candidacy of any person for any elective office; or 2. any paid commercial advertisements.”
http://assembly.state.ny.us/Rules/?sec=r10
Again, this was used in Ball’s commercial repeatedly used in many other videos on YouTube. Ball has no respect for rules and regulation.
This is a violation anyway you slice it. If he couldn’t follow this simple rule, he probably couldn’t follow other rules like “don’t harass your employees” and “don’t use your public office for campaigning.”
SR acts like he knows nothing when he knows and is wanting people to post so he can then run a defense for Ball. Dont feed into his postings with information for him to attempt to defend his friend, Ball.
Yes, you should post, SR is showing that he is a Ball insider. SR reveals many things in his post, SR also does not have all the facts correct and will do what Ball’s people always do and LIE. Don’t let SR shut you down, that is exactely what SR wants. Ball is a no good Assemblyman and the general public must know the person that he is.
Dave,
Thanks for the link. I was unaware of those rules. I wonder why Ball has not been disciplined for this or more interestingly why has Degnan not attacked him for this since it is pretty easy to prove?
Jackie,
When I do not know something I ask a question like I did. Is there something wrong with this? I could have just ignored it huh? I can at least acknowledge when I do not have all the facts unlike Mike Santos and Co. who attack Ball and purposely withhold facts.
Do Post,
Keep on pumping that “Ball Insider” BS. You are so full of hate and bias you can’t possibly think someone could like the guy huh??? I have never said anything on this site that has not been reported in local papers or in public info other than my opinion of Mrs. Perrault. Which facts do I have incorrect? Please provide sources.