Joseph Bruno Indicted
Joseph Bruno, the former majority leader of the New York Senate and for a time the most powerful Republican in state politics, was indicted Friday on federal corruption charges.
From the Associated Press:
Bruno, who retired from the Legislature in July after more than a dozen years leading the Senate, is accused of using his position to steer contracts and grants to businesses that paid him a total of $3.2 million in consulting fees or other compensation from 1993 through 2006, and then covering his tracks.
Prosecutors said in one instance, Bruno solicited officials from several labor unions with interests before state government to hire an investment firm that paid him $1.3 million over a 12-year period.
Wright Investors’ Service released a statement Friday that Bruno and his attorney had said his actions were cleared by the proper ethics groups.
“If Mr. Bruno engaged in illegal activities, Wright was not aware of them,” the investment firm said.
None of the companies or unions mentioned in the indictment were accused of wrongdoing.
Bruno also is accused of lying on public financial disclosure forms and using state employees to do administrative and other work related to his outside financial activities.
Bruno exploited “his official position for personal compensation and enrichment” in dealing with companies and 16 unions with business before the state, according to the 8-count indictment brought by the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York.
Bruno pleaded not guilty during a brief court appearance Friday.
Tags: Bruno Corruption, Corruption, Democrat, Federal Corruption Charges, Joe Bruno, Joseph Bruno, Politics, Republican, Senate
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January 24, 2009 at 10:17 am
You know, I am miffed about the entire state of the political system in the United States. In tough economic times for the average person, the officials WE THE PEOPLE put in office to represent our best interests are taking advantage of their positions. As of late, Joe Bruno. Personally, I never liked the guy, his “showboat” personality with the likes of Sheldon Silver and Jim Tedisco. For pete’s sake, when are the people going to stand up and demand more from politicians ? It seems accountability is a word each and every one of them needs to learn. NOW.
Disgusting.