FLASHBACK: How The Post broke the story yesterday. (
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ALBANY — State Senate leaders stripped Malcolm Smith of his leadership and committee chairmanships yesterday and all but called for his resignation from the Legislature hours after he was arrested.
Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein of The Bronx removed Smith as chairman of the IDC and the Social Services Committee — a post worth $12,500 a year in addition to his $79,500 salary — after the former Senate majority leader was hit with federal bribery and corruption charges in a scheme to buy GOP support for a mayoral run.
»Feds nab state Sen. Smith, NYC Councilman Halloran in pay-to-play bribe scheme
»How the plot hatched: Alleged corruption scheme hatched in Rockland County town of Spring Valley
»Halloran had mountain of debt before going on alleged bribery spree in Malcolm Smith scandal
»Dem’s shot at Smith as City Councilman Leroy Comrie eyed as possible replacement in State Senate
»‘Nuke bomb’ on city GOP as Smith ‘bribe’ scandal leaves Republicans reeling
»Mayoral wannabe Malcolm Smith done in by his ambitions
»Tales of the tape: Quotable quotes from Malcolm Smith scandal
»Since 2007, 11 New York state senators have been arrested including Malcolm Smith
Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos said he agreed with Klein’s moves and called the charges against Smith “extremely troubling.”
The nameplates for Smith’s leadership and committee posts had been removed from his Albany office even before Klein’s announcement.
“These are very serious allegations that, if true, constitute a clear betrayal of the public trust,” Klein said. “Given the level of criminality alleged, I believe that Senator Smith should seriously consider whether or not he can continue to effectively serve his constituents.”
Sen. Daniel Squadron (D-Brooklyn) was more direct, saying, “He should resign.”
“It is very, very troubling,” Gov. Cuomo said of the charges during a stop in Buffalo. “We have zero tolerance for any violation of the public integrity and the public trust.”
The loss of Smith won’t affect the bipartisan 35-28 Senate majority Klein and Skelos formed this year.
The federal complaint against Smith alludes to another IDC member, David Carlucci of Rockland County, although not by name, and both US Attorney Preet Bharara and Carlucci denied his involvement. Smith allegedly suggested he could steer state funding as part of the bribery scheme for a road project in Carlucci’s district with his colleague’s help.
“As the United States attorney had indicated, in no way whatsoever was I, or any member of my staff, involved in the alleged criminal misconduct and subsequent charges filed this morning,” said Carlucci.