Delusional New York Politics:

Friday, February 12, 2010

Delusional New York Politics: You Can Run But Can't Hide

Growing Aqueduct Investigations
Muck out the stable: Bet on the U.S. attorney to clean up the rank Aqueduct deal(NYDN Ed) *** Subpoena Seeks Senator’s Records on Funds He Directed to Community Groups *** Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver yes terday raised the stakes in the rapidly growing Aqueduct scandal, formally calling on state Inspector General Joseph Fisch to launch an immediate investigation of the mess (NYP Ed) *** A spokesman for Gov. David Paterson said Silver and the Legislature should be included in any AEG inquiry *** The US attorney's office subpoeaned information about Senate President Malcolm Smith's member items, but are focused on the cash he funneled to a non-profit he helped found, New Direction *** Federal investigators subpoenaed records of Senate President Malcolm Smith’s member-item grant requests for a nonprofit with ties to AEG partner Rev. Floyd Flake. (TU) *** U.S. Attorney Subpoenas NY Officials On Rep. Meeks' Non-Profit *** War on Fraud Widens: U.S. Attorney and DOI Following Money Trail (Henry Stern NY Civic)

The Siegel Monserrate Show Judge Denies Monserrate’s Request to Block Expulsion *** Dems' fightin' words: Two-fisted Kevin Parker makes a circus of Senate caucus(DN Ed)

Where the NYT Story? Paterson points blame at Spitzer in Larry King interview *** No GMA For You *** Blame Spitzer: Paterson *** Liquor distributor pours it on for Paterson *** The executive mansion does indeed have at least one utility closet, and perhaps more * Gov. David Paterson tells CNN’s Larry King that Eliot Spitzer’s fall helped put Paterson in the gossip fog he’s been trying to dispel. (DN) * Video links from the same interview: Paterson describes his New York Times problem. (CNN)


Can the City Council Police Itself: Quinn Yes, U.S. Attorney No Is the council speaker saying the the moral character of the council is such that only a reform will stop them from looting the public? Quinn: Seabrook Wouldn't Happen Now *** Indicted Seabrook a no-show; sources say associate Arroyo is targeted in probE *** Seabrook Is Not Unique City Should Investigate (Henry Stern NY Civic


Zuckerman Is Said to Be Weighing Bid for the Senate Seat Held by Gillibrand *** Harold Ford Jr.'s contract with NBC is suspended.

You Can Run But Can't Hide The political corrupt tax that is destroying our governmental budgets is so harmful to New York that the U.S. Attorney from the Southern saw fit to join the ingestion of AEG deal, which is already being investigate by the Eastern District because it is in their jurisdiction. This development just show how important the investigative authorities are taking this. So a word of to the Albany gang and their lobbyists time to cut and run. Prosecutors seize state info on Aqueduct casino deal *** Meeks aide's wife got campaign $$ *** Figure Under Scrutiny in Inquiry Into Charity Was on Senate Payroll *** Fed probe of Lottery not tied to Aqueduct bid: gov aide ***Feds target VLT data (TU) *** Sources tell Jim Odato the feds are interested in New Direction Local Development Corp., which has ties to Senate President Malcolm Smith * A former prosecutor under scrutiny in a federal investigation into a charity set up by Meeks and Smith was placed on the Senate payroll by Simth in 2002 * Updated: Smith’s member items are of interest to the U.S. Attorney * Sheldon Silver wants the state Inspector General to look at the Aqueduct deal.

1. The Green Felt Jungle Returns was the first book (published in 1964) that exposed the mob takeover of Vegas. One center of Mafia activity in the U.S. was the Chicago- Hollywood-Vegas connection. After Bugsy Siegel was blown away in 1947, the mob began taking over Las Vegas in earnest, buying off the authorities as needed. Legalized gambling made for high profits (particularly when an unreported percentage was skimmed off the top), and casinos were excellent for laundering money. Now the political mob has won control in New York and the fed are after them



Delusional New York Politics

2. Council Hide Go Seek Only in New Your would a City Councilman wish the problem of their fellow members stealing from council programs simply go away rather then reforming the programs they rip-off to prevent future looting of the public pay roll. "There's a feeling of "disappointment that these issues continue to pop up," said Councilman Leroy Comrie of Queens, who, like Seabrook, is a Democrat. "Hopefully, this is the last one," he said." Pols jittery over 'Dirty Larry *** Bagel-nomics: For $177, You Also Get the Kitchen Sink?*** The Biggest Losers Our question for today is, who has the most awful political culture, Illinois or New York? *** Divorce a secret: Indicted City Council member Larry Seabrook didn't tell wife about split for years *** A free pass to thievery: Seabrook case proves Council slush funds must go *** Greg Smith notes that some of Larry Seabrook's alleged wrong-doing came after Christine Quinn reformed to the way the Council gives out money.

3. Paterson's Looking Mirror Mirror mirror on the wall who the best gov of them all? Paterson bemoaning what he called a "racialized" and "hypersexualized" and "hyper-sexualized" portrayal of himself amid a weeks-long cyclone of speculation. Horndog of a dilemma Gov: 'Hypersex' rumors out of control.

4. The Comeback Kid? The NYT which is not sold much in Hiram district calls on Queens voters to reject Monserrate if he runs for his seat again. 'They haven't seen the last of Hiram,' says Hiram *** Got it right, did wrong: Monserrate's deserved ouster was too secretive