"Also yesterday, JCOPE Commissioner Ravi Batra resigned after slamming his own panel as being “remote-controlled” by Cuomo’s minions. “I welcome a subpoena from a federal prosecutor or a Moreland Act-empowered special prosecutor to share my experiences and impressions about the reality of JCOPE in practice,” he told JCOPE Chair Janet DiFiore. Batra claimed he contacted “independent federal law enforcement almost a month ago” about “festering misconduct” at JCOPE. He cited “apparent illegal leaks” and “deception of commissioners” by a JCOPE staff dominated by former Cuomo aides." More heat on Silver
NYDN Reported "Josh Vlasto, a spokesman for Gov. Cuomo, downplayed reports that JCOPE had narrowed its probe as “rumors,” but also warned that the governor would appoint a separate investigative commission if JCOPE does not conduct a wider inquiry." Albany Times Union Reported Ravi Batra — who was Friday afternoon the object of a swipe by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on a radio interview — says he is stepping down from the organization."Cuomo was on former Gov David Paterson’s WOR talk show about an hour ago. He said “the behavior of an appointee is not something you’re proud of.” Cuomo was referring to Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson — who appointed Batra to JCOPE."Updated with letter: Ravi Batra resigns from JCOPE(TU) NBC reported On Friday, Batra said the secrecy the panel requires of commissioners may have become a cover for unspecified illegality. Batra's greatest battle was this summer when he, as usual alone, fought to require donors to the lobbying group the Committee to Save New York be divulged back to the effective date of a 2011 ethics law. The board instead set a date that allowed six- and seven-figure donors of $17 million to the pro-business lobbying group to remain secret. The lobbying was set up to conduct its unprecedented TV ad campaigns that promote Cuomo's achievements. Outspoken NY Ethics Board Member Quits in Protest(NBC) Politics on the Hudson “Confidentiality may have become a cloak for possible willful illegality operating with a ‘nod and a wink’ means of communication from within JCOPE to a chosen few for political gain and corrupt back-scratching,” he said. Uticaod.com Reported After Batra called for a federal probe of JCOPE, Cuomo criticized Batra and the lawmaker who appointed him, Senate Democratic leader John Sampson. Cuomo spoke in a radio interview.
The Daily News Limited the Batra Resignation to 2 Sentences
Ravi Batra Quits JCOPE
After Calling JCOPE A Puppet of the Pols
Calls It Controlgate
Calls for A Moreland Commission Before he Quits
"This is why, consistent with my confidentiality obligations, I notified
independent federal law enforcement almost a month ago, that Jcope needs
disinfectant sunshine because confidentiality may have become a cloak for
possible willful illegality operating with a "nod and a wink" means of
communication from within Jcope to a chosen few for political gain and
corrupt back-scratching."
"Recent events have been cascading into a crescendo where I feel
compelled to resign over principle. A concept that US Attorney Preet Bharara
announced upon taking his public oath of office and one I have previously
mentioned.I wish you well and hope that my resignation aids in focusing attention on the
need for proper policies and practices to effectuate honest and independent
ethics enforcement so as to actually restore public confidence in government and
public service. NY ethics board member wants fed probe of panel(WSJ)
I acknowledge the continuing confidentiality obligation as well as the 2-year
bar. I welcome a subpoena from a federal prosecutor or a Moreland Act-empowered
special prosecutor to share my experiences and impressions about the reality of
Jcope in practice, for then the confidentiality bar would no longer apply, and
public trust further enriched." I have tried to serve, to the best of my ability, so that everyday New Yorkers
knew that I was working overtime to honor our leaders' call to bring integrity
back to Albany.
That Vito Lopez's alleged conduct is unbecoming a gentleman is not an issue, but
even he is entitled to due process before the facts overwhelm him, and
separation of powers is still constitutionally worthy.
Indeed, just when New York is faced with press reported issues of serious breach
of public ethics raised by Vito Lopez's allegedly ungentlemanly behavior and
Jcope needs to be able to swing into maximum action with all its capability to
identify any and all breaches of the public trust, onsistent with its
independent authority and commission-voted judgment, Jcope may be
self-destructing with issues raised from apparent illegal leaks, deception of
commissioners by staff, legally false prior public pronouncements and inter
alia, operating in a manner that raises substantial concern that Jcope is being
remote-controlled by person or persons that are themselves subject to Jcope's
direct oversight and disinfectant jurisdiction; thereby making Jcope an unlawful
political tool, if the substantial concerns raised are true.
For lack of a better term what appears to be happening at Jcope is
"Controlgate," despite the horrible, yet instructive, lessons of NYS Public
Integrity Commission and Suffolk County's Ethics Commission documented by NYS
IG's Trooper-Gate Report and DA Tom Spota's released Grand Jury Report,
respectively.
Until Jcope itself isn't acting independently, exercising commission-voted
judgment and staff honoring their fiduciary duties imposed upon agents, given
the delegation of authority resolution, Jcope is unable to honor its critical
and vital statutory mandate to bring integrity back to Albany and beyond and
those who breach the Public Officers Law may be able to escape ethics-imposed
investigation and any referrals for criminal prosecution or punishment that
Jcope could have imposed. Instead, the issues of Controlgate could make Jcope
impotent, public ethics a farce and as a result undermine public confidence in
governance itself.
I therefore request our great Governor to appoint a truly independent special
prosecutor, pursuant to inter alia, Moreland Act authority, to address issues of
Controlgate and thereby restore public confidence in governmental
ethics-oversight regime and prevent it from being an unlawful political tool. * Cuomo spox, Batra issue eyebrow-raising JCOPE statements(Capital) * Governor Cuomo said, if true, JCOPE’s move is “unconscionable.” * Ravi Batra To JCOPE: Shape Up Or I Quit | New York Daily News * Updated with letter: Ravi Batra resigns from JCOPE(TU) *JCOPE Member Says “Au Revoir” And Resigns | Vote Up! | Vote Up ...(democratandchronicle.com/) * Governor Demands a Probe of Speaker(WSJ)
Is State Supreme Court Justice Fern Fisher New York's Judge john Sirica
Judge orders wider Assembly sex harassment probe A state judge on Friday ordered a special prosecutor to expand his probe
of a sexual harassment case in the state Assembly to include a secret
settlement using public money approved by Assembly Speaker Sheldon
Silver. * Judge orders wider Assembly sex harassment probe ...
Vito the Rat Could Take Down the Albany Mafia
That Vito Lopez's alleged conduct is unbecoming a gentleman is not an issue, but
even he is entitled to due process before the facts overwhelm him, and
separation of powers is still constitutionally worthy.
Indeed, just when New York is faced with press reported issues of serious breach
of public ethics raised by Vito Lopez's allegedly ungentlemanly behavior and
Jcope needs to be able to swing into maximum action with all its capability to
identify any and all breaches of the public trust, onsistent with its
independent authority and commission-voted judgment, Jcope may be
self-destructing with issues raised from apparent illegal leaks, deception of
commissioners by staff, legally false prior public pronouncements and inter
alia, operating in a manner that raises substantial concern that Jcope is being
remote-controlled by person or persons that are themselves subject to Jcope's
direct oversight and disinfectant jurisdiction; thereby making Jcope an unlawful
political tool, if the substantial concerns raised are true. For lack of a better term what appears to be happening at Jcope is
"Controlgate," despite the horrible, yet instructive, lessons of NYS Public
Integrity Commission and Suffolk County's Ethics Commission documented by NYS
IG's Trooper-Gate Report and DA Tom Spota's released Grand Jury Report,
respectively.
Until Jcope itself isn't acting independently, exercising commission-voted
judgment and staff honoring their fiduciary duties imposed upon agents, given
the delegation of authority resolution, Jcope is unable to honor its critical
and vital statutory mandate to bring integrity back to Albany and beyond and
those who breach the Public Officers Law may be able to escape ethics-imposed
investigation and any referrals for criminal prosecution or punishment that
Jcope could have imposed. Instead, the issues of Controlgate could make Jcope
impotent, public ethics a farce and as a result undermine public confidence in
governance itself.
I therefore request our great Governor to appoint a truly independent special
prosecutor, pursuant to inter alia, Moreland Act authority, to address issues of
Controlgate and thereby restore public confidence in governmental
ethics-oversight regime and prevent it from being an unlawful political tool. * Cuomo spox, Batra issue eyebrow-raising JCOPE statements(Capital) * Governor Cuomo said, if true, JCOPE’s move is “unconscionable.” * Ravi Batra To JCOPE: Shape Up Or I Quit | New York Daily News * Updated with letter: Ravi Batra resigns from JCOPE(TU) *JCOPE Member Says “Au Revoir” And Resigns | Vote Up! | Vote Up ...(democratandchronicle.com/) * Governor Demands a Probe of Speaker(WSJ)Is State Supreme Court Justice Fern Fisher New York's Judge john Sirica
Judge orders wider Assembly sex harassment probe A state judge on Friday ordered a special prosecutor to expand his probe
of a sexual harassment case in the state Assembly to include a secret
settlement using public money approved by Assembly Speaker Sheldon
Silver. * Judge orders wider Assembly sex harassment probe ...
Vito the Rat Could Take Down the Albany Mafia
Sammy 'The Bull' Gravano — 'The Bull" Becomes "The Rat' — Crime The Bull' Becomes 'The Rat'. Gotti explained away his words to the effect that he was just letting off steam. But Gravano knew there was more to it. Gotti then told ...
JCOPE Does A Schultz: When It Comes to Silver Hush $$$ They See Nothing
Ethics panel declines to probe Sheldon Silver over Lopez settlement(NYP) * New York Ethics Inquiry Won’t Look at Speaker’s Actions(NYT) The state’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics will not probe Speaker Shelly Silver for his role in a sexual harassment settlement and instead focus on charges against Assemblyman Vito Lopez* Ethics Body Eyes Lopez(WSJ) * Plus: Sexual-harassment lawyer Gloria Allred, who represented the two women who received the secret settlement approved by Mr. Silver, said she had already received subpoenas from the commission. [Capitol Confidential] * Shelly Silver Off The Hook For (Taxpayer Funded) Coverup Of Vito Lopez Sex ...(Village Voice) * Good government groups questioned JCOPE’s curious decision to not focus on Shelly Silver in their probe of the Vito Lopez scandal.* Governor Cuomo said, if true, JCOPE’s move is “unconscionable.” * One member of the ethics panel, Ravi Batra, said this. * A judge ordered the prosecutorial probe to be expanded to Silver’s settlement. * Lopez’s downfall, a Shakespearean tragedy.
Judge Broadens Prosecutor’s Authority in Lopez Case(NYT) * Staten Island DA Donovan Takes Aim At Sheldon Silver(NYDN) * Sheldon Silver, John Sampson, Andrew Cuomo and Kevin Parker. Azi Paybarah(Capital) * Letter: Lopez and Silver should resign(Newsday) * Cuomo Threatens Broader Sex Harassment Investigation(NBC)
Remember When the NYT Uncovered Cover Ups By Pols Rather Than Enabling Them
As the Silver Cover Up Heat Up the NYT Distracts With An Editorial About Moonlighting Lawmakers
Not even a call by the times for reform or more transparency so tax payer hush money cannot be paid by pols to cover up sex abuse
New York’s Moonlighting Lawmakers (NYT) If we are serious about uprooting corruption in
Albany, the next step is to make service as a legislator a full-time job
and ban outside sources of employment and income for our public
officials.
Quick Hide Lopez's Body
Cuomo Threatens Special Prosecutor Today
Special Prosecutor's Probe Widens from Lopez Harassment to Silver Payout(WNYC)* Cuomo threatens broader sex harass investigation(WSJ)
We Need A New Seabury Commission to Clean Up Albany and Go After All of Vito Lopez's Corruption
The Moreland Act: Cuomo's Big Stick To Clean Up Albany
The Moreland Act
Cuomo's Big StickNo Faith in Government
The measure gives the Governor broad powers to investigate state departments and institutions, at his own option and with the help of experts, on the theory that he will recommend remedies to the Legislature. The most recent Moreland Act commissions were appointed in 1976, by Gov. Hugh L. Carey, to investigate nursing homes and in 1963, by Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller, to investigate alcoholic-beverage control laws. Seabury Commission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia * JCOPE is holding a special meeting this week, probably to discuss this controversy. * Corruption Springs eternal: reining in NY’s shady pols(NYP) * The situation only strengthens Governor Cuomo’s hold on Albany.
If The Governor or Investigators Do Not Clean Up Albany the People Can At A Constitutional Convention in 2017
The woman-suffrage movement in New York City society leaders securing signatures to petitions to be presented to the constitutional convention - scene at Sherry's / / Clinedinst.
David: Clear His Name for Paying Hush Funds and Saying He is Sorry He Did It ?
Marty Markowitz Forget About Otano
Education
Hoping for Change at Queens School Where Chancellor Has Ties(NYT) * More Field Tests Slated(WSJ) Students in 550 schools around New York state this fall will
sit for another standardized test that doesn't count, as the state
again tries to fine-tune future test questions, according to a memo sent
to superintendents.Students in 550 schools in New York
State will sit for a standardized test that doesn’t count as the state
revises future test questions, but some parents vow to pull their kids
out of school in protest * City Courts Investors to Fix Schools(WSJ) * Special Ed Gold Mine, Part 3: Some Money Intended For Special Ed Ends Up Elsewhere(NY1) *The News describes United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew successful effort to stall teacher evaluations as an “anti-kid victory”:
The Making of A President 2012
For Now, Taxi Office Says, Cab-Hailing Apps Aren’t Allowed(NYT)
NYPD officer canned for ticketing dead people says he was doing it to meet 'quotas(NYP)'Housing Complex's Security Cameras Frowned Upon By NYCHA(NY1)With so many shootings in public housing developments this summer and a cry for many security cameras, one family has taken matters into its own hands. But that's not sitting well with the housing authority.
Bronx bodega worker killed by cop after being mistaken for a robber: witnesses (NYDN)
Innocent bodega worker shot, killed by cop responding to armed robbery
Seized motorbikes swiped from Bronx cop lot(NYP)
Innocent soul’ eyed a future far away from Bx. violence(NYP)
Queens man dies after attacking kickboxing gas-station clerk(NYP)
'Genius' accused of cab-jacking shouts down judge(NYP)
