Memos show that aides to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli (above) were in on the Lopez deal.
DiNapoli team in deep(NYP) Comptrol aides drafted Lopez ‘hu$h’ dealState Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office was extensively involved in drafting the secret $103,000 agreement to settle sexual-harassment claims filed against Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez, according to explosive new documents released yesterday. DiNapoli previously insisted that the confidential Lopez settlement — approved by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver — had not been brought to his personal attention by staffers. But correspondence between lawyers for the comptroller and Assembly speaker, released yesterday to the media, shows that DiNapoli’s staff was consulted about the harassment claims against Lopez on March 27 — more than two months before the settlement was reached. * Settlement Advice Revealed(WSJ) * State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s attorneys reviewed a secret $103,000 settlement to resolve sexual harassment allegations against Lopez two months before authorizing the payments, the Albany Times Union reports
In a statement yesterday, DiNapoli’s office defended its actions. “The
comptroller’s legal staff was not a party to the negotiations, nor did
it evaluate the merits of the settlement,” said DiNapoli spokesman Eric
Sumberg.
In a June 4 e-mail, DiNapoli’s assistant counsel, Mary Anne Tommaney,
sent Assembly lawyers proposed language for the settlement,
recommending that the deal with Lopez’s accusers should be paid as
“compensatory damages” for “emotional distress and pain and suffering
claimed by the employees” rather than as back pay or salary. In
her e-mails, Tommaney does not refer to Lopez or his accusers by name,
simply referring to the agreement as “resolving an employment dispute
involving two Assembly staff members.”
Only the NYP and Albany Times Union Reported On DiNmapoli Office Involvement in the Lopez Hush Money Scandal. NYT Silent
Yet another editorial board calls for changes at JCOPE.
Yet another editorial board calls for changes at JCOPE.
Election 2012 President Obama buries Mitt Romney 62 – 34 percent among likely New York voters, while Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand holds a 64 – 27 percent lead over Wendy Long, according to a Quinnipiac University poll * The Times encourages New Yorkers to vote in Thursday’s primary, and endorses Brad Hoylman and Guillermo Linares for State Senate and Nily Rozic and Martine Guerrier for Assembly: * Some Races Get Ugly Before Thursday Primary (NY1) * Banned teach gets job at city charter (NYDN)*
Former Council staffer cited for conflict of interest(NYDN) Duncan had continued to run a nonprofit he founded after joining Sanders' staff in 2007; the group got city money from Sanders * Cox Blasts Meng For Sept. 11 Fundraiser(YNN)
* Earlier this year, a tight special election in Brooklyn led to at least one poll worker making six figures in overtime.
Records show that 824 of the 993 workers at the Board of Elections collected overtime in the 2012 fiscal year, including one aide who clocked 1,496 overtime hours for a total haul of $123,638 over his base salary of $58,398, the New York Post reports:
* How terrorist thugs struck our consulate(NYP) * Murder in Benghazi(NYP Ed) * For Veteran Diplomat, Return to Libya Was Full of Hope(NYT)
Qaeda plotted envoy’s murder(NYP) * Backlash Over Film Spreads to U.S. Embassy in Yemen(NYT) * Yemeni Protesters Pushed Back(WSJ) * Protesters storm U.S. embassy in Yemen:(Politico) * California man confirms role in anti-Islam film:(Politico) * Open Mic Catches Reporters Coordinating Questions Ahead Of Romney Press Bloomberg's Dream Die Hard
In D.C., Bloomberg Laments Lack of Progress on Economy, Guns
Romney rips O’s response(NYP) * Egypt May Be Bigger Concern Than Libya for White House(NYT) * Romney Sought Contrast With Obama(NYT)
NYC big-soda crackdown plan goes to vote today(NYP) * In Soda Fight, Industry Focuses on the Long Run(NYT) The city’s Board of Health will vote on
a proposal requiring parents to sign consent forms about health risks
before their child’s circumcision, but some Orthodox Jews strongly
oppose the health regulation. The soda industry concedes they cannot
stop the city’s Board of Health from voting to pass restrictions on
sugary drinks but are considering legal challenges to prevent the
regulation from going into effect * Board Of Health To Vote On Soda Ban Thursday(NY1) * Hours before the soda ban vote, NYC Health Commissioner Thomas Farley says obesity is an epidemic and sugary drinks its leading cause.* Reasoning that Bloomberg “will not be mayor forever,” the sweetened beverage industry is gearing up to fight the ban over the long haul, and is considering legal action to block it. Update City Approves Soda Cup Restrictions, Mayor Says It’s No Big Deal(NYO) * New York City Approves Ban on Large Sugary Drinks(YNN)
EXCLUSIVE: Cobble Hill candy shop hires security guards (NYDN)Related Sets School Deal on East Side(WSJ)
ast of the burnt-out lots on Southern Blvd. to be a public(NYDN)Informer Sparked New York Probe(WSJ) Attorney General Is Looking at How Buyout Firms Handled Management Fees, Tax Implications. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s probe of fraudulent tax practices at several private equity firms originated from the claims of a whistleblower, according to a source, the Wall Street Journal reports
1 name only
(NYP) The accused Upper East Side madam won’t roll over on a friend. “They
have an agenda to get me to talk about a certain person,” Anna Gristina
told Dr. Phil in an interview that aired yesterday. “I’m not going to
hurt someone with a family
JFK booster shots(NYP) * 18 Are Arrested in Theft of Tiny Liquor Bottles(NYT) * Airport Workers Charged in Mini-Liquor Bottle Theft(WSJ) * Police bust man suspected in sex attack on 73-year-old woman(NYP)
Ex-cop gets jail for smuggling cigarettes(NYDN)
