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Silver awaits verdict

Guilty Verdict Is a Spur to Would-Be Reformers of Albany’s Political Culture

Headline above from the New York Times on November 30, 2015 regarding the conviction for corruption of the New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.  QUOTES FROM THAT ARTICLE:

New York Times: “Even before the trial, Mr. Silver’s name was synonymous with a system of state government that is widely seen as defined by secrecy and awash in lightly regulated money.”

“Mr. Silver, the former State Assembly speaker, wrapped himself in financial conflicts of interest.”

New York Times:   “At the very least, advocates predicted, the verdict could have a chilling effect on legislators, who might previously have embraced tacit quid-pro-quo* arrangements of the kind that led to Mr. Silver’s conviction”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo: “There will be zero tolerance for the violation of the public trust in New York.”

NY Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol:   “It hurts all of us,” Mr. Lentol said, adding, “I still feel it is a noble profession that I practice and, when it’s done correctly, it’s a reward all unto itself.”       He also said he believed the verdict would increase pressure for campaign finance reform: “Money seems to be the root of all of the evil in politics,” he said.

Blogfinger note:  *Quid pro quo in Latin means “something for something.”   Let’s hope that OG is a no-quo-zone.

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