DARK MONEY The investigation of Seabrook shows both some of the advantages as well as disadvantages of transparency. While the allegations are discomfiting, it is the public's right to know that any and all business is conducted according to law. Dangerously, however, election campaign contributions are an exception to the rule, brought about by the egregious Supreme Court decision that unlimited dark money may be anonymously contributed to political campaigns. How many political donors, if scrutinized by the same transparency laws as Seabrook, would pass legal investigation uncharged? We'll never know because there is no transparency. So I say, Move forward with Seabrook. And Obama, get off the stick and issue an Executive Order requiring the names of all campaign donors and the candidates they support.
4
Seabrook and Lynch: two egomaniacs whose attitude and antics hurt their unions far more than help.
7
It's everywhere. Silver of the Assembly, Skelos of the Senate, and on and on. Is it any wonder that people want their share of the pie?
2
As the line goes: "Follow the money." Also, some readers' concerns about the Simon Wiesenthal Center will be answered by a closer reading. The center was paid $2500 for a tolerance course (probably needed in light of the union's suit against the city). Me thinks that all monies paid to any source are being investigated--including investments in hedge funds which certainly amount to more than $2500.
2
When a man heading a union with only 9,000 members is making $300,000 a year, please tell us what the leaders of much larger municipal unions are making. And not too long ago, the NYT carried a story that the Dept. of Justice had cited Rikers Island inmates as victims of years of civil rights injustices, including death. at the hands of correction officers.
9
Thank you Mr. Bharara! The endemic corruption and self enrichment that is apparently the norm among NY politicians as well as many public employee union bosses is bleeding NY taxpayers dry. Your work provides some small ray of hope to New Yorkers that there is a chance this mess can be cleaned up. Keep up the good work- we're rooting for you!
17
Why NOT expand the inquiry? Every rock should be turned over - no telling what surprises may be found there......
2
I bet Patrick Lynch is looking over his shoulder right now
17
Could we all just bear in mind that the City - and therefore the State - are in enormous financial peril due to longstanding unsettled contracts with the City's uniformed labor forces (Police, Fire, Sanitation, and Correction), a deadlock dating well back into the previous Mayoral administration? This is a budgetary time bomb that no one, least of all the New York Times, seems to find fit for discussion.
A stream of strategic abuse directed at the officers of these unions - along with articles questioning the legitimacy of unionizing public workers at all, which have appeared in the Times - forgive my cynicism, but somehow these are not surprising developments.
A stream of strategic abuse directed at the officers of these unions - along with articles questioning the legitimacy of unionizing public workers at all, which have appeared in the Times - forgive my cynicism, but somehow these are not surprising developments.
7
You are so right, but unfortunately no one is listening.
Because as we all know, the US Attorney works for the Mayor....errr, not !
Will the Mets drop COBA as a sponsor based on this information?
1
Yes, please -- for the love of God, end that bizarre intertwining of meglomania and fearmongering, to the strains of "God Bless America" during every Mets radio broadcast.
2
I wonder if this will come back to haunt Mayor De Blasio for he and Seabrook are best of buddies. Will he throw Seabrook under the bus or stick with him till death do they part?
2
I would guess "under the bus". This is politics and such are the rules............
1
"Mr. Huberfeld is on the board of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which is also named in the subpoena...."
Why is an ostensibly worthy organization in bed with a convicted felon? Was there a crack in the septic tank that no one knew about, and something oozed out?
Why is an ostensibly worthy organization in bed with a convicted felon? Was there a crack in the septic tank that no one knew about, and something oozed out?
8
Yes, Preet Bharara! I was hoping that Norm Seabrook was on yout list. Corrupt people who challenge the authority of the federal government need to be taken down. Seabrook can yell his infamous, "this jail belongs to us" as he is striped searched and locked in a prison cell.
Don't forget that third man in the room, Preet. I am still counting on up to take down Cuomo before he does any more damage, especially selling the education of NYC children to his wealthy donors and friends.
Don't forget that third man in the room, Preet. I am still counting on up to take down Cuomo before he does any more damage, especially selling the education of NYC children to his wealthy donors and friends.
24
... power corrupts
... absolute power corrupts absolutely.
it's about time Seabrook see the inside of a jail cell.
... absolute power corrupts absolutely.
it's about time Seabrook see the inside of a jail cell.
22
All I can say is that Preet Bharara has been a godsend to the people of New York. He is targeting precisely the right people at precisely the right time. I only hope that he just keeps on going.
42
not enough, for the list of corrupt politicians and their associates is a mile long.
13
Yes! And I wish he would come out to Nassau County soon.
1
he has no jurisdiction in nassau, which is under the brooklyn u.s. attorney,
Thank God prosecutors are going after this Chief.
Remember that when you see one cockroach, there are usually many hidden all around that one....
Remember that when you see one cockroach, there are usually many hidden all around that one....
21
The Corrections union runs the city's jail system to the detriment of everyone: the inmates, taxpayers, common decency. NYC's per inmate spending is more than double that of other large cities, with gulag-like quality. And we've all heard of the horrors that are perpetuated by Seabrook's stonewalling any attempt to discipline his goon squad.
One only hopes that the federal prosecutors amass enough evidence to invoke RICO to dismantle this corrupt union and bring humanity back to the jails.
One only hopes that the federal prosecutors amass enough evidence to invoke RICO to dismantle this corrupt union and bring humanity back to the jails.
45
So , why then is Mayor De Blasio so best of friends with this guy? Doesn't figure , unless... he's corrupt too.
4
It's naive to say that DeBlasio is "best of friends" with Seabrook. He may be making nice with him, but it's for reasons of politics, not out of actual affection. Negotiations with the unions go better when the parties are civil to one another.
2
The members of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association should best be asking why the president of their union is having financial dealings with a guy who paid someone else to take his brokerage licensing exam. And we wonder when the finances don't work out.
24
Can someone explain to me WHY the Corrections Officer Benevolent Association should make contributions to the Simon Wiesenthal Center? UNIONS should be charged with supporting their members, PERIOD! They should not be allowed to use funds for ANY PURPOSE, no matter how worthy, that falls outside the strict parameters of supporting the union members. This man REEKS of corruption.
44
The answers might explain why only the federal prosecutor, rather than those who have campaigned on reining in police brutality and corruption, has taken action despite numerous revelations in the Times.