Watchdog Group Finds "Wave Of Ethical Misconduct" In Albany

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Tell us something we don’t know…:rofl

New Yorkers are all too familiar with their scandal-scarred state government.

In March 2008, Governor Eliot Spitzer was done in by his ties to a prostitution ring. Former State Comptroller Alan Hevesi pleaded guilty to a felony corruption charge in connection with a pay-to-play scandal.

And, most recently, Governor David Paterson had to pay a fine of more than $62,000 for accepting free tickets to a Yankees World Series game.

But that’s just the beginning of the story when it comes to the state’s ethical and legal problems.

“Really a crime wave of ethical misconduct has taken place up in Albany,” said Dick Dadey of the Citizens Union.

The government watchdog group Citizens Union put out a report today on the issue. It says state legislators are leaving office because of ethical or criminal misconduct at an alarming rate.

The report shows that over the last six years, 13 legislators left office because of criminal charges or ethical misdeeds. That’s three times the number who vacated their seats for those same reasons in the prior six-year period.

“They think nobody is watching and you get into an environment where you just think certain things are entitled you and you take advantage of them,” Dadey said. “And that’s what we’ve seen. And if no one’s watching you, you put your hand in the cookie jar and you take out a lot of cookies.”

Democrat Pedro Espada lost his Senate seat after becoming the target of a criminal investigation. He was later charged with stealing money from a non-profit health clinic in the Bronx.

Republican Joe Bruno retired as senate majority leader with a federal corruption investigation hanging over his head.

And, in 2010, Democrat Hiram Monserrate was expelled from the State Senate, after he was found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend.

Calls for sweeping ethics reform are on the rise. And pressure is mounting on Governor Andrew Cuomo to deliver the changes so many advocates are demanding.

“We need a better cop on the beat. We need stronger independent ethics – oversight and enforcement – of the state Legislature and the executive branch,” Dadey said.

Dadey, for one, says an ethics deal could be within reach. For now, though, it appears that state lawmakers are still at the negotiating table.

source: NY1

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NY is in shambles in many ways. It’s expensive to live here, our Government is retarded and those two combined = money being thrown into the wind.

This is part of the reason why I was literally envious/jealous of KDubs moving to FL. I’m sure their government has their share of issues, but I’m sure it’s not as bad as NY.

I would love to live in FL. Only thing keeping me here right now is school and work.

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…you do realize that florida has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country right? Is that something to be jealous of?

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I was considering a move to Florida as well. The rent is obscenely cheap for some really nice places. The problem was finding work. Florida has literally no jobs, and it’s infuriating. Arizona on the other hand…

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Depends on what field I suppose. I work in IT, and a quick glance at Monster or Career Builder suggest IT jobs are plentiful in the Tampa/Clearwater area.

Our Nation has a high unemployment rate as well, but I have so much work that I don’t know what to do with it.

I see your point, but it doesn’t effect everyone I’d image. A laborer? Possibly. But judging from the results, looks like I’d be able to find something relatively easy.

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It could suggest that these jobs are plentiful, but you aren’t really looking into the other factors that could affect this. For all you know the IT market in Florida could be completely saturated, especially with such a high unemployment rate. It’s not going to be just you applying…it’s going to be a shit ton of people applying for maybe a handful of postitions.

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i saw hookers and crack dealers everywhere in Fl so there are definitely jobs available, it just depends on what field you applying to.

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That’s where experience and resume strength comes into play ;).

I’m not even 24 and already have 7 years of IT experience and an extensive list of major projects on my resume.

If I did move, I’d like my chances.

But that is besides the point. Finding work anywhere right now is tough. I can’t see it being tougher in FL as opposed to NY for certain fields.

:rofl

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I say its a good thing. Let the heads roll and watch the change take place. Really, how hard would it be for a group of smart people to look at the legality of following around these people and gathering facts? When corrupt people do this shit all day every day, the odds are against them that they will slip up. Expose them and watch them go bye bye.

Picture a crazy high tech underground group doing this. If they are out there, sign me up!

Lets not get on this whole jobless shit either in here. its beaten to death. If you want to work, you will work. Simple as that. Persistence pays off, have the balls to keep looking time after time, getting rejected time after time and again, the law of averages will work in your favor and pay off. I could quit my IT, over saturated job today and in 2 weeks time be working again doing the same shit.

and for the naysayers saying there arnt positions and shit, and the state inst hiring… I get canvas lettered for positions once every 1-3 weeks for the last few months for open recs, just in the IT field.

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^^ what he said.

I actually have a canvas letter laying around somewhere on my desk for a grade 23 position which pays WAY more than what I make now but with the state being in shambles I’m not going there. Also because the perks of my current job are just too good.

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I’m moving into the high peaks and buying a gun after graduation. DFWM.

/thread

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There’s also this new dude from the gov’t too. The one that got busted in that craigslist ad scandal. Chris somethingorother was it? district 26 i think?

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I love my job (not a State employee–I actually work for a living). If I were to lose that, I’d be fughking gone. Nothing else is keeping me here.

The weather is garbage. We’re taxed into oblivion yet the State is insolvent. Our infrastructure is crumbling. Corruption has polluted Albany so discernibly and without penance that Chicago seems noble by comparison.

Go Egypt.

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the grass is always greener on the other side guys…

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Especially where it doesn’t snow. NY FTL.

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:lol @ go Egypt

:rofl. Nice Mark.