Former state Comptroller Alan Hevesi comes up for his initial parole hearing this week, perhaps today, having served 18 months of a one-to-four-year sentence for a “pay-to-play” scheme involving state pension-fund investments.
Hevesi’s corruption conviction ended his three-decade service on the public payroll, including membership in the state Assembly, a CUNY professorship and stints as both city and state comptroller.
Indeed, those positions — from which he knocks down more than $160,000 in city-and state tax-free pensions — will afford him a quite comfortable retirement upon his release.
No doubt the checks are helpful at the prison commissary, too — which underscores a fundamental point.
Alan Hevesi is where he is because he profoundly betrayed the public trust.
He pleaded guilty in 2010 to placing a $250 million investment in the state pension fund in exchange for gifts and campaign contributions from a businessman.
That was after Hevesi initially was forced to resign as state comptroller — and was placed on probation — for improperly using a state vehicle and driver to transport his ailing wife.
Is Hevesi a physical danger to society?
Of course not.
And, yes, individuals found guilty of more serious offenses — such as violent crimes — often spend far less time behind bars than Hevesi has.
Nonetheless, from those to whom much is given, much is expected.
A once-respected leader in city and state government, Hevesi became the quintessential symbol of everything that is wrong with New York politics.
He now needs to become a symbol for what happens to those who abuse their office for personal gain.
Alan Hevesi’s parole request should be rejected. He needs to stay right where he is for a little while longer.