Curran: The Trust Cost of Corruption

The following is from Assemblyman Brian Curran, R-Lynbrook:

The rampant outbreak of corruption, indictments and arrests of elected officials throughout New York State has been rooted in the New York State Legislature.  It unfortunately speaks to a hideous culture of corruption entrenched in Albany and localities, most notably in New York City.

Sadly, the deafening silence from most New York State elected officials is an indictment of the unfortunate political culture that has grown and prospered over the years.

Public service was once an honorable pursuit in the Empire State; it’s been tarnished with the prevalence of corruption, fraud and self-serving individuals taking advantage of their political positions.  When this occurs on the public dime, not only is it worse, but it also shatters the public trust.

As Ranking Member of the New York State Assembly Committee on Ethics & Guidance, it’s my job to resolve facts on cases brought in front of us.  Unfortunately, where there is criminality involved, cases first proceed through the criminal justice system.

But there is no warm place in any reasonable person’s heart for an elected official – someone entrusted to work tirelessly on behalf of the honest, hard-working people of their district – guilty of crimes or wrongdoings. The guilty besmirch the hard work that many of us do on all levels of government – state, county, town, village and others.

The citizens of New York deserve answers that are not mired in political intrigue or spin, cloaked in legal technicalities or coded language or provided to them piecemeal by the whim of those who hold state elected or political leadership positions.

It is time to put an end to the despicable practices of public corruption, graft and greed, which, unfortunately, too many politicians treat as the normal way of doing business.

New York State is mocked nationally for perpetuating a “pay-to-play” and “show-me-the-money” culture. While New York is recognized for its position, dead last, in tax- and business-friendly environments, it continues to be rocked by self-serving politicians on different levels of government taking bribes and committing fraud to line their own pockets, often while their own communities suffer.

In the latest allegation of corruption, a State Assemblyman from the Bronx, for the sum of $20,000, sold legislation so that only one particular business would benefit in his community. It prevented other enterprises to even explore the opportunity of opening and bringing jobs and commerce to that area.

This particular politician is on the record for maintaining an air of confidence in fending off criminal charges easily, due to the numerous past examples of elected officials easily getting off the hook with merely a slap on the wrist instead of an appropriate sentence of jail time.

In these corrupt politicians’ minds, there is no deterrence from accepting bribes; it’s all too often considered “normal.”  Guess what?  It’s not.  It’s illegal, immoral, unethical and just plain wrong.

There have been several attempts to revoke an elected official’s pension if they are convicted of criminal activity. I wholly support such proposals, but believe it does not go far enough. Legislators accept taxpayer money to act as a representative of their community. When indicted and arrested for criminal activity, those politicians have proven they do not have the interest of their people at heart.

That’s why it’s time for true Ethics Reform in New York State, not merely something that sounds good in the media. I am in full support of Governor Cuomo’s proposal to increase criminal penalties and create new ones for elected officials who violate the public trust.

However, at the same time, I oppose the Governor’s plan to bring public campaign finance to New York State. Public financing of private campaigns is not the solution to political corruption. In fact, public financing of campaigns, as highlighted by the recent allegations lodged against State Senator Malcolm Smith, will lead to more political corruption, not less.

Most observers believe that Senator Smith could not win the New York City mayor’s race as a democrat running on the republican line. But winning was not the goal; it has been alleged that his sole intent on getting into the race was to benefit from the public financing of receiving public funds for every dollar raised. With that taxpayer money, any mayoral candidate – in this case, probably Senator Smith - could spend lavishly on campaign "expenses" that could include dinners, trips and travel.

I should admit that I have always been against giving taxpayer funds to public campaigns. I just don't believe that the Founding Fathers ever envisioned an election system where we take taxes from hardworking families and give it to private individuals so they can run for elected office.

It’s my sincere hope that the Legislature turns to real and substantial issues. Public corruption needs to be punishable to the fullest extent of the law, but local district attorneys and the state attorney general should be granted more power to nab crooked officials.

Those elected officials guilty of a crime should be made to forfeit any public pension. But additionally, bribing a public official, scheming to corrupt the government and failing to report public corruption should be explicitly outlawed – currently, they are not.

When it comes to public integrity, there is no grey area – it’s either right or wrong. That’s why it’s vitally important that we reform New York law to further enhance ethics regulations to keep our elected officials honest.  You deserve nothing less from your elected officials who you have placed your trust and vote in. You can’t – and shouldn’t – accept anything less.