After their fearless leader was arrested on federal corruption charges earlier this year, State Assembly Democrats may be coming to their senses and supporting a package of ethics reforms being pushed by Governor Cuomo.
As I've noted before, there would be national outcry if John Boehner or Nancy Pelosi had a secret list of legal clients – but that's the norm in Albany with lawmakers who are lawyers not having to disclose who is giving them tens of thousands of dollars on the side.
“I think it's up to the individual attorney whether or not their specific clients would want to be disclosed,” State Senator Jeff Klein told Capital.
But that's partially why former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is facing a massive federal indictment for allegedly taking millions of dollars in kickbacks and bribes – many of it in connection with his legal work.
Apparently not feeling the heat, State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos doesn't sound like he wants to release the names of his legal clients, telling Capital: “I've disclosed to JCOPE what is necessary by law” – referring to the state's Joint Commission on Public Ethics.
But it's the loose law that's part of the problem – and it's partially to blame for Silver's predicament. When there's not quite a real speed limit on the Autobahn, who's to say what's speeding? Get ready for some tortured arguments in in Silver's legal defense.
Meanwhile, even if lawmakers like Skelos don't really believe in ethics disclosure, it might be a good time to start mouthing the words. While it's never been an issue close to the hearts of most lawmakers, passing some tougher ethics rules might be like a seatbelt law and actually help prevent some of them from getting indicted. If not, get ready for some more crash-test dummies.
Bob Hardt