Legislation Would Make Public Lawmakers’ Defense Funds
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- November
- 5
Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Albany County, held a press conference today at the Capitol to announce a bill that would require disclosure of any financial contributions to a legal defense fund for politicians in the wake of a fund set up by Sen. Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, Gannett’s Jon Campbell reports.
The bill calls for disclosure of all defense fund-related contributions, including the name of the donor and the amount given, dating back to Jan. 1 and going forward.
“When I heard about the creation of defense funds, I thought at the time, ‘That has to be illegal, and if it isn’t, then we have to find something to do about it,’” Breslin said.
Monserrate created a defense fund that is helping to pay his legal fees after he was convicted last month of misdemeanor assault involving his girlfriend.
But Breslin was careful not to single out any one politician. Former Senate Republican Leader Joe Bruno also recently set up a defense fund as his court case continues on corruption charges.
“I would never, ever support legislation that was directed at one person,” Breslin said. “I’m remissed that I haven’t done this legislation earlier.”
Breslin did have strong words for Monserrate and Sen. Pedro Espada (D-Bronx), who each switched their political allegiances in the Republicans’ ill-fated Senate coup earlier this year. That’s not a new thing for him.
“I have already identified myself as thinking (Monserrate) should resign at the nearest possible time, and he should be joined by at least one other,” Breslin said, referring to Espada.
Breslin did, however, recognize Monserrate’s legal right to sit during next week’s special session. A Senate panel has been formed to decide Monserrate’s fate.
“I don’t think he should be welcomed, but I think he should be legally allowed in,” Breslin said. “I don’t think there will be any, you know, hugging.”
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on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 6:49 pm by Joseph Spector.
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You cannot legislate HONESTY either you have or you don’t.
This also goes for the “PRESS’, they seem to play both sides.
One day they are reporting about X the next day they are working for X
Take Errol Cockfield former Albany bureau chief for Newsday in 2006 he was reporting on Spitzer vs Faso, in Jan 2007 he has working for the Spitzer administration, at a very big salary increase.
He is not the first or will be the LAST, the question is are they giving “HONEST SERVICE” to the readers of the papers they work for etc etc ??
The whole system needs a dose of HONESTY.
VJ Machiavelli
No More Schumer
No More Pelosi
No More Rangel
No More Engel and his Million Dollar Home in Maryland, and
No More Arthur Finkelstein & co
The “Poor People of The United States of America” cannot afford any legal representation at all. And, if the Political Establishments think that : “Well!, but we have legal aid . . ” What legal aid is that which facilitiate only a few particular ethnicities right in the open who only beleieve in a few topics of American History and consider them even after 1968 that “they are the victims” – Distorting the facts – teaching the young ones they “we” sufferred. The Students know are taught that “The Founding Fathers had Slaves” but at the same time the same educational institutions are failing to also teach the young ones that “The Founding Fathers also freeed thier Slaves in their last Wills” . . . .
Now, reading that the “socalled” Lawmakes creating a “defense fund” Can you believe it!
The question that coomes to my mind is that why would a “LAWMAKER” [after commiting a crime] need a “DEFENCE FUND”
In the opinion of this writer a “so-called type” of LAWMAKER should first of all does not even deserve to be a “LAWMAKER” . . .Who is kidding who or All are engaged in kidding The Republic – Let “We the People decide that part” . . I think the answer would be found more convienently by everone by standing alone in front of a mirror for finding the true answer – Accountablity should first start form selfexamination of one’s own soul and face value first.
By just getting elected [anyways] in the House of Representatives or State or Local Legislature does not qualify one to be what the defination of a “LAWMAKER” is . . .
What matters is that not even the “conscience of one’s charecter” but more is the end results and his reflection to the Loyalties to The Republic as a whole – Not having one foot in the United States and the other in [the backhome-Country of Origin] and [not] very fortunately having a “right to vote” in shaping the destiny of Our Great Nation. Is that fair?
We as a Nation have to really focus on Our National Interests being represented where The United States is always going to be at the Driver Seat and not to become Passengers on the next seat or the back seat –
This is what The Checks and Balances demand under The Rule of Law under The Supreme Law of The Land –
Nobody can be allowed to makes any Laws contrary to what the Constitution permit – and it’s every American’s responsiblity.
Habib Hasan – An American Storyteller