US Attorney Preet Bharara is bringing the thunder.
He is a modern-day Shiva striking down the sociopathic klepticians who have wormed their way into the Legislature and City Hall.
In the span of 72 hours, Bharara and the FBI have netted a state senator, two assemblymen, a city councilman and two suburban village officials.
Since retiring from the Assembly, I’ve written columns addressing the thieves and grifters whose only goal once elected to office is to rip off the public. But Thursday’s arrests hit very close to home.
Bronx Assemblyman Eric Stevenson represents the same Bronx neighborhoods I did for eight years.
One of the cooperating witnesses, Sigfredo Gonzalez, ran three losing races against me. Stevenson ran against me twice and also lost. My ex-wife once remarked that the devil was keeping me busy fending off his demons.
I’m outraged that history will record that my service was bookended by scandal and corruption— Assemblyman Gloria Davis, who pleaded guilty to bribery in 2002, now Assemblyman Stevenson in 2013. Their disgrace is another blow to the chest of honest people in Morrisania and Crotona Park East in The Bronx.
Another arrestee, Assemblyman Nelson Castro was a government witness for four years — almost his entire Assembly career, knowing full well his career was over when it started.
Remarkably, it took him four years to net a big fish. That may be good news for those legislators and lobbyists who had dealings with him. But it’s small comfort for voters that the FBI allowed him to fool the public for so long.
For once, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver set aside his trademark reticence and called for Stevenson’s immediate resignation. But that’s far from enough.
If we are going to get serious about public integrity, we must permanently break the back of political corruption and graft. Legislative leaders and the public must have zero tolerance for criminals who wear the trappings of public office.
New Yorkers shouldn’t be satisfied until the Legislature enacts a “theft of honest services” felony statute requiring lawmakers convicted of bribery, corruption, mail fraud or official malfeasance to forfeit their pensions.
And low pay discourages honest and capable New Yorkers from seeking legislative office—opening the door to the grifters and hustlers looking for a steady paycheck, a modicum of respectability and a chance to steal.
Legislative pay must be raised to attract honest and dedicated talent. Outside income must be limited, member items ended and term limits imposed.
Our state and its people deserve to be represented by the most capable, honest and hardworking individuals stepping forward to serve their communities.
There’s some reason for optimism. In recent years, elected officials shown to be thieves, boodlers and scam artists have been defeated at the polls or have resigned in disgrace, stood trial and stand convicted before the bar of justice.
The ranks of the corrupt grow thinner — for now. New Yorkers, especially honest state legislators, should publicly thank US Attorney Preet Bharara for walking the Albany beat and taking out the bad guys.
Those still operating in the shadows should begin to panic.
Their day of reckoning is coming.
And the public should be cheering.