(NYT) *** Giuliani Denies Report That He Will Not Run For Governor (NY1) *** Giuliani to run for U.S. Senate, NOT NY gov.: sourceControlling the News
What Happen to the Council Slush Fund Investigation?
The Daily News reported on June 24, 2008 that U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia asked the NYS Supreme Court to delay for 90 days a special inquiry into the city council pork spending and slush fund, for fear it would derail their case. The inquiry requested by civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel under an arcane law, would require a parade of public officials to publicly testify under a grant of immunity. It not about Siegel ongoing suit which seeks to invoke a a rarely used City Charter provision to combat Tammany Hall corrupt in the 1870s but what happen to the U.S. Attorney Investigation. We know that since then Both Garcia and Lev Dassin have left to white shoe law firms. With the new U.S. for New York's Southern District Preet Bahrara responsibilities with the terror trials we wonder if he has any time for the council investigation or if we will ever see a report if they decide not to indict the big fish.
Only True News Keeps This Story Alive
August 7, 2009 NY's Watergate: Several Slush Fund Cover-up
July 15, 2009The City Council Slush Fund Scandal Is Way Bigger Than Miguel Martinez
March 6, 2009 Cover Up At City Hall ContinuesJ
January 12, 2009 Inspector Clouseau Investigates NYC Political Corruption
January 4, 2009 Member Item Slush Fund Cover Up
November 11, 2009 The Dishonor Roll - The Shame of New York
The 29 Councilmembers who voted to extend their term in office
November 8, 2008 Massive Lobbyist Scandal at City Hall
Media Switch On Then Off - Slush Fund Story
From a period of two weeks before the indictments of two city council aides to about a month after the arrests, the newspapers hammered away almost every day at the slush fund scandal. From the beginning of April to the the end of May over 100 story and several editorials were published about the scandal and the need for reform, including over two dozen investigative reports that exposed how councilmembers used member items for family, friends and paid off lobbyists for their campaign help. Since the end of May less than a handful of stories have been written about the slush fund, none during and since the debate and vote extending the council's term limits. It is inexplicable that challengers who use the Internet and Facebook for requests for funding, have not tried to use the online community against the media blackout, and to organize against the council's term limits vote.
Does NYC Mean Business? NYC might be the world's financial capital but not when it comes to it people involved in business. Study finds NY entrepreneurship lagging nation Just over 15% of people in New York state are involved in some kind of entrepreneurial activity, compared with a national average of 18.8%. Does it have anything to do with high taxes and rents imposed on small business in the city. As the new comptroller prepares to raise taxes, the state just imposed and MTA tax on freelancers and the council works to put additional burdens on small business like paying for sick pay, the number of entrepreneurial workers in the city will shrink even more Flat Holiday Hiring as Jobless Rate Holds at 10.3% , Worst month of job losses since last December (crains)
Cops vs. Academy $ Why are we spending a billion dollars for a new police academy while we have cut over 6000 officers from the NYPD and the community does not want the academy? College Point residents wary of NYPD academy MTA Shermanesque? With the state's economy is a freefall and the Arbitrator John Zuccotti, who granted transit workers 11% raises, in court how in the world can the agency say Riders Spared Fare Increase In Latest MTA Budget Get ready for dirty stations, graffiti and delays Could the Coming Subway Budget Crash Have Been Stopped?
Gov of La Mancha Albany Gov strike$ out again *** Assembly Backs Stricter Oversight for State Authorities *** New Website Lets New Yorkers Talk Back to the Senate *** Leandra’s Law passes, and an agreement is made on authorities reform — it’s amazing what you can accomplish when you can’t reach a deficit deal. (TU, NYT, DN) *** Mayor Jerry Jennings hosts a fund-raiser for Andrew Cuomo — at the Fort Orange Club. (PolitickerNY, TU) *** Paterson chides NY Legislature in deficit progress *** "To me, it isn't the quantitative agreement on a number," Paterson said. "It's the quality of actually hitting the target in ways that will be real and recurring." *** "It's discussions, discussions, discussions, and no action," Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari said, predicting no deal until next week. "I wish I could be more positive." *** The cost of these talks is $500,000 and counting *** Paterson Doesn't Take It Personally, If You're a Legislator *** Assemblyman Richard Brodsky called the public authorities bill "the most fundamental reform of Albany in decades." *** Monday. Monday Monday Monday The Assembly is planning to be back on Monday *** The Legislature Has Left the Building *** Budget madness continues *** EJ McMahon is unimpressed by the public authorities reform bill.
Pay to Play Bruno Bruno buddy paid him 360G *** Clients Fuzzy Over What Bruno Did for Them *** Corruption for dummies: State Senate lawyer advised top pols on how to skirt the law *** The Senate counsel who advised Joe Bruno on navigating the shoals of his dual public/private career kept a “CYA” file once he got wind of a potential investigation of the senator. But wouldn’t that be a “CMA” file since it was his own rear on the line? (TU) *** An employee of Jared Abbruzzese said he didn’t know what Bruno did to earn his consulting fees. (TU) *** "Do you know anything that Senator Bruno does? Need some help her pals," an executive from one of the companies that paid the ex-majority leader wrote in an e-mail *** Collateral Inconvenience: Bruno Case Ties Up Senate Computers
Inside City Hall Pals hail Koch on his 85th *** Savoring the Mayoral Victory With a Dinner by the Seine *** City Council Influences Landmarks Decision *** Bloomberg, Kissinger help Koch celebrate 85th birthday *** Mayor Bloomberg, Controller Thompson clash over status of Brooklyn jail *** Could Lives Have Been Saved In B'klyn Fire? *** Bloomberg donated $125 million to promote safety in Moscow *** The Landmarks Preservation Commission doesn't like being influenced by the City Council *** Take Over Albany, Mr. Mayor (City Hall) *** At Broadway Triangle Hearing, Some Lopez-Reyna Tensions
New York Economic Melt Down MTA puts off hike ***NYC Losing Communication Jobs (Fox) *** Manhattan retail rents vary wildly amid recession *** Hard-pressed small firms drop health insurance *** Luxury Stores Trim Inventory and Deals *** Flush in a Recession, a Bronx Landlord Is Ready to Shop *** New York City has lost about 60,000 communications jobs since the economic downtown began. (AP) *** New York's unemployment rate hits 9%, highest since April 1983
Law and Order Bagel big stole tax dough: DA *** Mafia 'tomato' gets squished *** Cops: Vada Vazquez's alleged shooter is baby-faced 16-year-old *** A Bullet Takes a Toll in the Bronx *** 22 Held in Staten Island Betting and Loan Sharking Raids *** Gunman with a baby face *** Menaces to society: When it comes to gun crime, some judges are part of the problem (DN Ed)
*** Baby-Faced Teen 1 Of 5 Charged In Bronx Shooting (WCBS)
New York Terror Plot Imam in Queens College flap *** 9/11 kin put heat on Holder ***Expert: Bigmouth prez helps defense *** Holder: NYC trial for 9/11 suspects right decision *** Born in U.S., a Radical Cleric Inspires Terror *** Holder answers to 9/11 families (Wash Post) *** GOP pol: New York wants 9/11 trials to create jobs *** Obama, Holder: Guilty verdict will vindicate decision to try terrorist in NYC *** Big Apple Justice Fits Man Accused of 9/11 - Margaret Carlson, Bloomberg *** The Justice Department's Nonsensical Decision - Joshua Filler, USA Today *** Civilian Trials for Terrorists: Holder Defends Bizarre Decision - LVRJ *** Supervisor Warned Army about Hasan *** Schumer: 9/11 Trial Could Cost More Than $100M *** Hasan's E-Mail: 'I Can't Wait to Join You' in Afterlife... *** Is New York really ready to put a suspected terrorist on trial?
More City News Group hopes text service will curb Park Slope parking woes *** Owners scoff at state's offers for Atlantic Yards land *** Upscale MCDONALD'S brings European style to NYC...
White House Obama Takes Stern Tone on North Korea and Iran *** A Taxing Time for Treasury Nominee *** Bush Library Design Chosen *** U.S. Demands Clear Results From Afghan Reforms *** High Tech Tries to Lift Veil on 18 ½ Tantalizing Minutes in Watergate *** Obama to Push For Korea Trade Pact (WSJ) *** Debate Shifts to Afghan Exit Plan ***The Permanent Campaign Continues - Karl Rove, Wall Street Journal *** Geithner Calls on US Banks to Boost Lending *** WATCH: Obama's Fox News Interview Is 'Lightning Round' Format *** A long first 10 months for Prez (Daily News) *** Bam: Talks begin with allies for sanctions vs. Iran *** Obama in China: A Wake-Up Call! - David Gergen, CNN *** What the Generals Won't Tell the Prez - Ralph Peters, New York Post *** Afghanistan: To Succeed, We Must Fail - Gerard Russell, Los Angeles Times *** Obama Leaves More Questions Than He Takes - Dana Milbank, Wash Post *** Obama Political Arm Raising Money Off of Palin *** The Best of Bad Options: More Troops, But Not 40,000 - Boston Globe *** Obama Goes to China, Brings Home a T-Shirt - USA Today *** White House Backtracks on Mammograms *** Obama rewards big donors with plum jobs overseas *** Official: Can't certify job stats *** Obama Keeps Missing Deadlines: Does It Matter? - John Dickerson, Slate *** Obama Stimulus: Enron-Style Accounting is Back - Mike Flynn, Big Gov't *** Slowly Dismantling Our War on Terror - Mark Davis, Dallas Morning News *** Obama Job Approval - 46% | Congress Job Approval - 26% *** The President Wants You to Know He’s Too Dopey to Use Twitter (Wolff Newswer)
Congress Senate Health Plan Seeks to Add Coverage to 31 Million *** Jobless Benefits Will Expire Unless Congress Acts *** Rising Prices of Drugs Lead to Call for Inquiry *** Sen. Reid unveils $848B compromise package (Wash Post) *** Senators press Fort Hood probes (Wash Post) *** Rep. DeFazio: Fire 'Timmy' Geithner *** Senate to Put Off Climate Bill Until Spring - Wall Street Journal *** How can the Democrats solve a problem like Joe Lieberman? (Politico) *** Holder dodges Ensign in Vegas *** Lieberman slams public option; brushes off critics (Politico) *** House Financial Services Committee OKs powers to break up large firms *** Senate Reform Race Begins (Roll Call)***Talk of new jobs legislation triggers interest-group and lobbying push *** Harry Reid Woos Skeptical Democrats - Karl, Khan & Wolf, ABC News *** Calling election stolen, Hoffman rescinds concession in New York (Wash Post)
Pay to Play Washington Review Finds Fraud in Contracts Awarded in Disabled Veterans’ Program *** Opponents on Wrong Side of History - Nick Kristof, New York Times *** Is there anything lower than a company that overbills a fund for disabled vets? (AP)
Health Care Senate Health Plan Seeks to Add Coverage to 31 Million *** Breast Cancer Screening Policy Won’t Change, U.S. Officials Say *** The Wrong Side of History Attempts to discredit the health reform proposals now before Congress resemble the flawed arguments made in the 1960s *** Health Care Reform's Grand Bargain - Ezra Klein, Washington Post
International Iran Imperils Western Nuclear Deal *** Iraqi Election Placed in Jeopardy
Wall Street and the Economy Walmart.com boss fires warning shot *** Donald Trump relinquishes casino-control bid (crains) *** Post-Mortems Reveal Obvious Risk at Banks *** Sears Narrows Loss as Kmart Shows Improvement *** Hedge-Fund King Comes Under Siege *** Fear of Double Dip in Housing *** 2 Years Later: Revisiting New London - Froma Harrop, Providence Journal *** We Deserve a Transparent Fed - Rep. Ron Paul & Sen. Jim DeMint, WSJ *** Another Slippery Slope We Could Fall Down - Doug Kass, TheStreet.com *** How Does the '09 Rally Stack Up Against '82 Bull Market? - Big Picture *** The Wall Street Grinch Speaks - Charlie Gasparino, The Daily Beast *** Even a Fool Can See Deficits Are The Problem - Randall Forsyth, Barron's *** Goldman's $500 Million: Day Late, Dollar Short - Mark Gilbert, Bloomberg *** We Must Tame the Ballooning National Deficit - Sen. Evan Bayh, CNN
Wall Street Pay to Play New Link in Galleon Case *** Deutsche Bank Ex-CEO Faces Fraud Case *** The Dems' 'Doc Fix' Would Shock Bernie Madoff - Wall Street Journal
National Did Texas Outlaw Marriage?*** CALIFORNIA ON THE BRINK? UCLA students protests 32% tuition hike... *** Study Shows Link Between Segregation and Subprime Loans
Media and High Tech Xbox marks the spot for M'soft ratings ***NFL Network attempts to huddle with politicos ***Google's Chrome set to go *** CBS nearly sold out on Super Bowl XLIV *** Bigger U.S. Role in Broadband Is Likely *** Heads to Roll Over Doctored Footage? *** National Book Award Winners *** AOL Looks To Cut One Third Of Its Workers *** Newspaper Deliverers Are Probed (WSJ) *** Oprah Winfrey to End her Talk Show *** BusinessWeek, now owned by Bloomberg LP, has started layoffs. *** Hartford Courant Hit With Plagiarism Suit
Blog Report Parks Department Seeking Volunteers to Help Preserve New York State Pavilion (Historic District Council Newstand)
