It never ends: Albany’s sorry reputation took yet another one on the chin yes terday with a sweeping indictment that netted Sen. Carl Kruger, Assemblyman William Boyland Jr., both of Brooklyn, a high-profile lobbyist and several health-care execs.
“When prosecutors charge politicians, it shouldn’t seem like a scene from ‘Groundhog Day’ — and yet it does,” said US Attorney Preet Bharara.
He cited the many state lawmakers indicted by the feds in recent years: Sens. Vincent Leibell (R-Hudson Valley), Pedro Espada (D-Bronx), Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens), Efrain Gonzalez (D-Bronx), Queens Assemblymen Brian McLaughlin and Anthony Seminerio . . .
And that doesn’t include ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer, whose prostitution scandal broke three years ago yesterday.
It’s a perfect time for Gov. Cuomo to push his ethics reforms.
Kruger has long been one of the most powerful members of the Senate and serves as ranking member of the Finance Committee. The indictment claims he’s been on the take for at least five years.
He’s charged with “receiving a stream of bribes totaling at least $1 million for taking official actions.”
Lobbyist Richard Lipsky allegedly paid part of his fees to Kruger, who then pushed Lipsky’s agenda, including efforts to ban big-box retailers like Walmart from New York. (An FBI raid of Lipsky’s house uncovered $100,000 in cash.)
Kruger also is said to have taken cash to prop up MediSys Health Network hospitals in Queens, part of the same scheme that led to the conviction of Seminerio.
Boyland allegedly received as much as $177,000 from MediSys CEO David Rosen for a no-show consulting job at Brookdale Hospital.
As The Post reported last year, Brookdale kept Boyland Jr. and two of his family members on its payroll.
Make no mistake: These are not victimless crimes. Accepting payments in exchange for official actions is an end run around democracy — and a betrayal of voters.
New York taxpayers lose when an on-the-take legislator jockeys to keep open taxpayer-funded hospitals that otherwise should be closed. Or when a corrupt politician takes money to help keep stores like Walmart — and the jobs they might bring — out of the city.
As Bharara said, “Albany . . . should see this as . . . a moment of change.”
Which is why Cuomo shouldn’t wait to push his reforms.
He says he wants to the get budget passed first. But better to strike while the iron is hot. Besides, if he can get his reforms through now, folks will have a lot more faith in the budget that’s passed.
New Yorkers need to know that their elected officials aren’t for sale. Cuomo needs to send that message — now.