Last year, I wrote about a dozen scandals for New York Democrats. That, apparently, was only the beginning. It turns out that 40 politicians, Democrats and Republicans, have faced legal or ethical charges since the year 2000. The corruption has become so frequent and so egregious, that Gannett’s Albany Bureau has created a database called “Troubled NY Lawmakers” to keep track of all of them.
Included in the database are such embattled lawmakers as Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, who was arrested for reportedly taking advantage of his position to financially aid his son, former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, who was taken into custody for receiving unreported payments from a Manhattan law firm, and Sen. Shirley Huntley, D-Queens, who pleaded guilty to embezzling almost $90,000 from a non-profit organization for personal use. Other forms of corruption among New York politicians include soliciting bribes, throwing coffee on staffers, driving while intoxicated, marijuana possession, second degree attempted burglary, slashing one’s girlfriend in the face – and oh yeah, sexually harassing staffers.
The fact that there is need for a database because the list for corrupt New York politicians keeps growing is shameful. People deserve honest leaders.
I don't know what's in the water up there, but based on this list, New Yorkers don't have much reason to vote lately.