NY Lawmakers Charged in Plot to Buy Spot on Mayoral Ballot

[dixiegrrrrl]

State Senator Malcolm A. Smith, a contractor and real estate developer who rose to become the first black president of the State Senate, and City Councilman Daniel J. Halloran III were arrested early Tuesday on charges of trying to illicitly get Mr. Smith on the ballot for this year’s mayoral race in New York City, according to federal prosecutors.

Mr. Smith, a Queens Democrat, and Mr. Halloran, a Queens Republican, were among a half-dozen people arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in the corruption case. Others included Republican County leaders in Queens and the Bronx, the mayor of the Rockland County village of Spring Valley, Noramie F. Jasmin, and her deputy, Joseph A. Desmaret, according to a criminal complaint.

Mr. Smith, according to the complaint, agreed with a cooperating witness and an undercover F.B.I. agent, who was masquerading as a wealthy real estate developer, to pay off leaders of Republican county committees in New York’s five boroughs. The bribes were to be paid to obtain specific certificates authorizing him to run for mayor as a Republican even though he was a registered Democrat.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/nyregion/state-senator-and-city-councilman-accused-of-trying-to-rig-mayors-race.html

[geek tragedy]

1. "The theme of this week is "Tell the Truth.'"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/02/malcolm-smith-and-dan-halloran-arrested-nyc-rig-mayoral-election_n_2997854.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

[Laurian]

2. Bipartisan crooks. N/T

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Really starting to feel like the 1930's

when there was so much corruption at all levels.

[LiberalFighter]

4. Looks to me like Smith is crooked.

Considering he along with other nuts calling themselves Democrats joined forces with the Republicans in the State Senate. There have been other charges in the past.

[brooklynite]

5. Just to liven things up more, look at this profile on Halloran (a "Norse" pagan)

http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-11-30/news/america-s-top-heathen-dan-halloran-city-council/

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Apparently his allegiances are ...fluid.

[SpartanDem]

7. Who says bi-partisanship is dead.

[Myrina]

8. ... in the newsclips of Smith, why is (Top Chef Hostess) Padma Lakshmi standing behind him?

Are they an item? If so, she sure does align herself with lightning rods ...

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Haven't a clue....

[Myrina]

10. Google was my friend ...

.... they were together earlier at a presser for some healthy school food/phy ed and preventative medical care initiative.


http://www.nysenate.gov/video/2013/mar/14/idc-and-tv-star-padma-lakshmi-kick-teen-health-awareness-campaign-albany

[bklyncowgirl]

11. A veritable rainbow coalition of corruption--black, white, Republican, Democrat

And I thought my home city was falling behind on the colorful corruption scale. Thank you Senator Smith for your attempt to restore us to our rightful place in perfidy.

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. I am amazed at the prosecutions!

Just stunned that anyone is holding thieves accountable.