ALBANY — Taxpayers in Queens have seen too many crooked politicians — and now they say enough is enough.
With the arrest of New York City Councilman Ruben Wills, Wednesday, the list of Queens politicians being slapped with handcuffs continues to grow.
Wills was the latest in a list of nine Queens pols that have been investigated, arrested, or convicted of corruption since 2006.
“Everybody can’t be dirty, but it seems like everybody here is,” Jamaica, Queens resident Chris Mouzon said Thursday.
Another Queens resident, 63 year-old Belina Hills, says residents are tired of lies and empty promises from lawmakers.
“We’re fed up with it because we don’t trust anybody,” Hills said.
Former Queens State Sen. Shirley Huntley was indicted for funneling money to a phony non-profit. The Democrat pol pled guilty to falsifying records before being sent to prison.
The most complex corruption case went down in Queens last year. The federal government indicted State Senator Malcolm Smith for trying to buy his way onto the New York City mayoral ballot as a Republican.
Smith, a Democrat, allegedly paid off any GOP head in New York City that would promise him support.
Named in Smith’s indictment was Republican Dan Halloran, former City Councilman, along with Vincent Tabone, the former Queens GOP Vice Chair.
Halloran is alleged to have helped Smith cook up the plan while Tabone is suspected of taking cash to help him.
All three men are awaiting trial in June.
“There is certainly an issue in Southeast Queens,” said one Queens Democrat who wished to remain anonymous. “You can’t pretend it doesn’t exist.”
Currently Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-Queens) had his assembly offices and home raided by the FBI in March.