Schneiderman in Serious Trouble Even Before Trump Takes Over the DOJ
The disclosure that could end Eric Schneiderman’s career (NYP) State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s witch hunt against supposed “climate-science deniers” became an even more embarrassing debacle late last month — and just might wind up ending his career. A state judge ruled in favor of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a think tank whose Freedom of Information request the AG had denied. That gave Schneiderman 30 days to cough up documents concerning his agreements with other states’ AGs, and with a group of green activists, about their joint persecution of ExxonMobile and other entities for supposed “climate fraud.” CEI had been targeted by one of Schneiderman’s co-conspirators, the Virgin Islands AG, with legal demands that plainly aimed at suppressing free speech and scientific inquiry that the nonprofit sponsors. The think tank’s lawyers believe the documents could show improper conduct by the AGs. If they do, Schneiderman faces serious trouble.* Aidala formsexploratory committee, eyes Schneiderman’s Attorney General seat * NYPrimary Voter Purge Still Under Investigation Amid Calls For Election Reform(NYO) NY Attorney General’s Office received 10 times as many complaints during the primaries than in any other election The Empire State is a Democratic Party stronghold and was a vital turning point in the primaries. Yet by the end of April, the New York Democratic primary had the second lowest voter turnout (19.7 percent) of all Democratic primaries, behind Louisiana.
NYP: Mahattan DA Or U.S. Attorney Bharara Should Investigate de Blasio Horse Deals
De Blasio’s suspicious obsession with killing the carriage trade (NYP Ed) Mayor de Blasio says the transit union’s demand for an investigation into his secretive deals to kill the city’s horse-carriage trade is “just foolish.”Sorry, Bill — the union has a good idea. Well, basically: Transport Workers Union President John Samuelson wants Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to head the probe. Likely better choices? Manhattan DA Cy Vance, who has no apparent political ambition at the moment, or US Attorney Preet Bharara, a proven corruption-fighter. But someone should be looking into the mayor’s obsession with ridding the city of horse carriages — and whether some special obligation to reward special-interest donors is behind it.Granted, the mayor and Samuelson have had their differences on other issues. * The Growing Call for An Investigation of de Blasio HorseGate Corruption All the Way Back to the 2013 NYCLASS Election
And the union has been cozying up to de Blasio’s rival, Gov. Cuomo. But the TWU’s charges have plain merit. After all, this was never about animal rights, for all the claims to the contrary. Those who sank money into de Blasio’s 2013 campaign — and worked to sink his chief rival, Christine Quinn — were real-estate developers with eyes on the West Side parcels that house the horse stables. Asked about that link Monday, the mayor insisted he doesn’t “think it’s an issue.”Sorry: Lots of New Yorkers don’t buy it. Why is he so reluctant to say he just can’t deliver on this promise? De Blasio also claims the press is making too much of his anti-horse-carriage crusade, telling reporters to “really think about what’s important.”But it was Bill de Blasio who called the issue so urgent that he vowed to ban the horse carriages on “Day One” of his mayoralty. And it’s de Blasio who won’t take no for an answer — coming back this year to a fight that humiliated him last year. And then, the moment his latest “deal” collapsed in flames, immediately setting out to find an alternative. Something strange is going on here — so strange the issue deserves a closer look.
de Blasio TWU's Call for Investigation Into the Horses A Foolish Idea
De Blasio wants the press to pipe down about his horse carriage fail (NYP) Mayor de Blasio has spent two years trying to ban carriage horses from city streets — but he told the press Monday to focus on more important issues. “You guys think I’ve been spending more energy than I’m spending,” he said at a press conference in Chinatown . “I think this legislation is necessary, but I think you guys are interpreting it in ways that don’t reflect reality.” After questions kept coming at him on the same topic, the mayor had enough.* Central Park .
TWU Asks the AG Who Gave A Low Fine to the Advance Group Which Ran NYCLASS to Look Into deBlasio's Quests to Kill the Horse Carriage Industry
A letter indicates that Transportation Workers Union President John Samuelsen will ask Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to weigh in on de Blasio’s “ quest to kill the horse carriage industry,” the Daily News reports: *
NYP: CFB AG Chump Change Fines Say BullShit to Fair Election in NY
Flaws in @NYCCFB public dollars on political campaigns are wrong & the results of the election stand! That's wrong!
Advance Gets A Slap On the Wrist Fine No Criminal Investigation from CFB and AG In An Incomplete Fine On Their Campaign Coordination in the 2013 Election
Political insider fined for playing too many sides of 2013 elections (NYP) A political consultant has agreed to pay $26,000 in penalties after authorities accused him of double dealing in the 2013 municipal elections. Scott Levenson’s The Advance Group played both sides of the fence by advising the political arm of the United Federation of Teachers and the anti-horse carriage group, New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets, to influence contested city-wide and council races. At the same time, he also represented four candidates: first-term Council members Laurie Cumbo (D-Brooklyn) and Mark Levine (D-Manhattan), Comptroller Scott Stringer and Manhattan borough president candidate Robert Jackson. “Today’s agreement sends a clear message that campaign coordination is unacceptable in New York City and state politics.” The UFT had spent more than $40,000 combined on behalf of TAG clients Cumbo, Levine, Jackson and Stringer. NYCLASS spent $20,000 on the campaigns of Cumbo, Levine and Stringer. TAG presdient Levenson was the political director of NYCLASS and its campaign was run out of his Manhattan office, while at the same time the group spent money to promote the candidacies of two of Levenson’s clients — Levine and Cumbo.
Levenson also created an “altar ego” called Strategic Consultants — apparently to keep secret his consultant work with the UFT while also repping candidates the union supported, the findings said. The action “suggests that TAG understood that its dual role potentially violated CFB’s role against coordination . . .” the settlement *Advance Group fined $26k by Schneiderman, CampaignFinance Board (TU) The attorney general’s office, in part, found that the Advance Group had set up an “alter ego” corporation, Strategic Consultants, which obscured its working both for candidates, and for an outside spending group funded by the United Federation of Teachers that supported some of the same candidates. “The very fact that [Advance Group] created an alter ego, Strategic Consultants, to act as its public face in connection with the UFT…suggests that TAG understood that its dual role potentially violated the CFB’s rule against coordination…” the attorney general’s office stated in its settlement agreement with Advance, “and intentionally attempted to deceive its clients, the CFB, and the public about its role with respect to UFT and its individual clients.” * Schneiderman, NYC Campaign Finance Board Settle With Advance Group (YNN)* Advance Group fined $26k by Schneiderman, Campaign Finance Board Albany Times Union (blog)
Vinny the Chin CM Wills
Queens Councilman, Facing Criminal Charges — Doesn't Show up in Court — Or at City Hall (NY1) For almost two years, Councilman Ruben Wills has had criminal charges pending in two separate cases in two different criminal courts. And for months, the cases have made little progress moving forward, as NY1's Courtney Gross reports.
Why Didn't The NY1 Reporter Ask The Speaker How A Councilman Avoiding Justice is Still A Standing Member on the Council?
City Councilman Ruben Wills' seat has been empty a lot lately. The indicted Queens Councilman has not been to City Hall since December, and he has not been to his court appearances, either. Wills is on medical leave, and that illness is the latest hiccup delaying his corruption trial. It was nearly two years ago that the Queens Councilman was charged by the state attorney general with grand larceny and filing false business records. He is accused of stealing public tax dollars from a nonprofit group he founded. "I am not resigning on charges," Wills said in May 2014. "This is America , people. We are presumed innocent before you are proven guilty." It did not end there for Wills. Less than a year later, the attorney general brought more charges, this time in Manhattan criminal court, claiming Wills had not disclosed income he made from a private business on his city conflict of interest form. "We don't even understand what the charges are in this point in time, but what I can say is, I am innocent and I look forward to my day in court," Wills said. Both of those cases have stalled. The attorney general's office unusually and successfully removed Wills' attorney from the Manhattan case last year, claiming the AG's office wanted to call that attorney as a witness. That so-called conflict issue has seeped into the Queens case. A judge must determine whether that attorney, Steve Zissou, can fairly serve in Queens after he was kicked off the case in Manhattan .That decision cannot happen until Wills comes to court. Wills' attorney told us he has a serious medical issue with an uncertain prognosis. He could not comment any further. Wills' attendance record was not stellar prior to his illness. Since his original indictment in May of 2014, the councilman has missed 87 meetings or hearings at City Hall. That means he has made just 55 percent of them. Wills has another court appearance scheduled this week. He is not expected to be there. * New York City Councilman Ruben Wills, the legally embattled Democrat, explained his chronic absence from City Hall and detailed personal and family issues that have kept him from tending to his district, Politico New Yorkreports:
Why Didn't The NY1 Reporter Ask The Speaker How A Councilman Avoiding Justice is Still A Standing Member on the Council?
Beyond Playmate $$$ AG Schniderman Could Some Donations to the AG Be A Conflict of Interest?
BUNNY MONEY! Former Playboy playmate is Eric Schneiderman’s biggest donor — shelling out $65G to his reelection bid (NYDN) An analysis by our partner News 4 New York finds that political donations to the Office of the State Attorney General are often made by industries that office is investigating. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman isn't being accused of any wrongdoing. But could the donations present a conflict of interest? "Attorney General Schneiderman has himself proposed very tough campaign finance rules that would take a lot of money out of politics," said reporter Chris Glorioso. "He seems to realize that there is an issue with appearances of conflicts of interest."
Judge Does Not Buy CM Wills Scam Witness Sick Daughter Excuse, Warrant Issued for His Arrest
Indicted CM Wills Key Witness Disappears and the Media Does Not Ask the Councilman the Speaker WTF?
A man expected to implicate Queens City Councilman Ruben Wills on corruption charges Tuesday bolted from the courthouse just before proceedings started, and the judge issued an arrest warrant for him
Wills Who Was Indicted By the AG Over A Year Ago is Still Doing Pay to Play Deal With His Lobbyists Campaign Manager
TRASHY POL: Indicted Queens Councilman slams proposal that hurts campaign donor (NYDN) An indicted Queens pol with the worst attendance record on the City Council showed up to hearings of a committee he doesn’t sit on to blast proposals that threaten to hurt a campaign donor. Councilman Ruben Wills — a Democrat who has received $3,000 from donors tied to Royal Waste and Regal Recycling — slammed a commercial trash handling proposal that would carve the city into zones, and assign each area to one chosen waste company, at a sanitation committee hearing April 29. Wills has received $3,000 from owners, managers and family members of Royal and Regal, which runs a complex of waste transfer and recycling facilities in southeast Queens outside his district. He also got $750 from the companies directly — which had to be returned because corporate contributions are banned under city rules. Last year, he had the worst attendance rate of anyone on the 51 member Council — blowing off 27% of the meetings he was supposed to attend.
DA's Push Back At Schneiderman's Role As Special Police Shooting Investigator
Thursday New York Attorney General Sets Guidelines for Inquires Into Police Killings (NYT) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has authorized local prosecutors to investigate cases in which police officers kill unarmed civilians. * The NYPD has made nearly 33 percent fewer arrests citywide so far this year for selling untaxed cigarettes, the crime Eric Garner was arrested for during the deadly confrontation on Staten Island last summer, theJournal writes: * Huge amounts of money get thrown around after publicized tragedies, such as the recent Garner family settlement, and no one feels comfortable objecting and questioning whether the decision is fair, WilliamO’Reilly writes in am New York: * The NY Post questions NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer’s claim that the city’s $5.9 million settlement with the Garner family is fiscally responsible. * De Blasio said he’s looking forward, not backward, on police-community relations, refusing to analyze whether he changed his tone on cops in a speech he gave on Staten Island this week. He also ducked questions about whether he talks differently about police to his 17-year-old son Dante, and avoided saying whether he thought the police had changed since the death of Eric Garner. * The NYPD has made nearly 33 percent fewer arrests citywide so far this year for selling untaxed cigarettes – the crime Garner was suspected of during a deadly confrontation on Staten Island last summer. * Mayor: One Year After Death of Eric Garner, 'Summer All Out' a Success (NY1) * Schneiderman has authorized local prosecutors to open investigations when police officers kill unarmed civilians, but he has also prohibited them from giving immunity to any witnesses. * Basically, DAs argue their power should flow from voters, not from the AG * Here is Schneiderman's letter in response to DA'sconcerns *"logical inconsistency of superseding all 62 elected DAs..only to immediately designate them to perform crucial tasks.."DAs to Schneiderman. * Schneiderman And DAs Trade Letters On Police Probe Authority (YNN) * Sharpton, Citizen Action Back Schneiderman In DA Dispute (YNN) * Eric Garner, who died after being put in a chokehold by a police officer one year ago today, was remembered by family, friends and advocates who held ceremonies and rallies calling for law enforcement reforms, The New York Times reports: * Cuomo: DAs And AG ‘Have To Work It Out’ (YNN)
Cuomo and the AG Stroking the DAs AG Investigating Mount Vernon
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state AG Eric Schneiderman secretly assured the state’s 62 district attorneys that they are competent to prosecute Eric Garner-type killings by police — even as they stripped them of their power to do so and publicly questioned their objectivity, Fred Dicker reports. * Schneiderman’s Office To Investigate Death Of Mount Vernon Woman (YNN) * Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office will use its special prosecutor status for the first time to investigate the death of Raynette Turner, a black woman who died in a Mount Vernon holding cell, State of Politicsreports: *Editorial: Eric’s burden (NYDN Ed)
Police Special Prosecutor
'IT'S A DAY OF ACTION': Cuomo gives attorney general authority to prosecute police-involved deaths (NYDN) * John Jay College , State of Politicsreports: * Cuomo, Signing Executive Order, Signals For Broader Deal On Criminal Justice Reforms (YNN) * After signing an executive order establishing state AG Eric Schneiderman as a special prosecutor to investigate civilian deaths at the hands of law enforcement, Gov. Andrew Cuomo will appear on the Rev. Al Sharpton’s show tonight. * Governor Signs Executive Order Appointing State AG as Special Prosecutor in Cases Where Police Kill Civilians (NY1) Cuomo to Appoint Special Prosecutor for Killings by Police (NYT) With pressure mounting, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said he was preparing an executive order naming Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman as a special prosecutor for police-related civilian deaths. * Cuomo also announced that an executive order allowing New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to serve as a special prosecutor in police-related civilian deaths will be ready this afternoon, the Times Union reports: * Cuomo’s executive order giving Attorney General EricSchneiderman the power to investigate deaths of unarmed people in police encounters is a first step toward restoring trust in the criminal justice system, the Times Union writes:
We Also Need A Special Prosecutor for Political Corruption
Editorial: A legacy of Eric Garner (NYDN Ed) * Some criminal justice advocates said they were disappointed Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s special prosecutor executive order did not empower the attorney general to handle all police-related civilian deaths, The New YorkTimes reports: * The Daily News credits Cuomo for signing an executive order authorizing the attorney general to handle cases where police kill unarmed civilians and applauds the family of Eric Garner and other advocates as well: * In interview with Sharpton, Cuomo defends executive order (Capital) * Simmons Praises Cuomo For Executive Order (YNN) * Although families of New Yorkers killed by police flanked the governor at the signing and applauded the move, they also expressed disappointment that the order does not encompass all police-related civilian deaths, but only those cases in which the victim was unarmed or where there is significant question if the victim was armed and dangerous, as determined by the attorney general. * New York Attorney General, Now Investigating Police Killings, Forms Special Unit (NYT) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said his office was responding to a “crisis in confidence” in the public’s perception of the ability of local prosecutors to handle these cases properly. * The Times describes de Blasio’s plan to circumvent bail for some low-level, non-violent offenders “promising,” but writes that the governor and Legislature should pass a related bill to further reform an unfair system: * The Daily News writes that the stop-and-frisk monitoroverseeing the NYPD has proved reasonable and realistic in his first report, which called for testing body cameras on about 1,000 more cops: * Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s appointment of the state attorney general to act as a special prosecutor to investigate police killings drew criticism from law-enforcement unions, who questioned whether the Democrat’s blanket policy is appropriate. * Now that his office has this new power, Schneiderman named members of his Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit. Alvin Bragg, Schneiderman’s executive deputy attorney general for social justice, will head the unit. * “This is not a knock on local prosecutors. This does not mean local prosecutors don’t do their jobs,” Schneiderman insisted. * Schneiderman downplays potential for conflict with D.A.s (Capital) * * New York police unions criticized Cuomo’s decision to appoint the attorney general as special prosecutor for police-related killings, questioning whether it’s appropriate to single out law enforcement, Gannett Albany writes: * Dan Janison takes a look at the risks – and there are many – for AG Eric Schneiderman now that Cuomo has named him a special prosecutor to handle deaths in which unarmed civilians are killed by law enforcement.
We Also Need A Special Prosecutor for Political Corruption
99% of the political corrupt cases against NY's elected officials have come from federal prosecutors. The dirty little secret of city district attorneys was since the days of Tammany Hall rule that that they did not go after the political machines and elected officials that elected them. Now as campaign power has shifted from machines to campaign consultants lobbyists it is becoming increasing clear that the city's DAs not only depend on them during election time, but look the other way when political corrupt is connected to them. While the old political machine pulled out the people it gave services to the consultants depend on manipulate voters with spin. It is also now becoming clear that many of these campaign consultants will brake election laws and organize conspiracy with others to elect their candidates to office. Which is exactly with the the FBI and the CFB are investigating the Advance Group for their role in the NYCLASS PAC. * Trapped by New York’s Bail System (NYT Ed) No one should have to await their trial in jail simply because they could not afford bail.
Eric Garner’s Mother Rallies for StrongerSpecial Prosecutor in Police Killing Cases (NYO) * Cuomo: Special Prosecutor Executive Order Coming Soon (Updated) (YNN) * Cuomo eyes special prosecutor to probe killings by police (NYP) Wednesday Update Cuomo did not sign an executive order for a special prosecutor on Tuesday as planned after he met with families of civilians killed by cops, although his office said he would sign the order “soon,” The WallStreet Journal writes: * The Post’s Bob McManus predicts that, with the anniversaryof Eric Garner’s death approaching, New York City lawmakers, particularly City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, will ramp up the “cop bashing” rhetoric: * With pressure mounting from families whose loved ones have died at the hands of a police officer, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that he was preparing to issue an executive order naming the state attorney general as a special prosecutor for police-related civilian deaths. * Cuomo initially said he planned to sign the executive order yesterday, but after meeting with advocates and families of civilians who died during encounters with police officers who wanted more, his office said conversations are continuing, and the signing will come “soon.” * Law enforcement officials said Cuomo’s special prosecutor plan casts doubt on the police and district attorneys whose powers will be usurped.
People arrested for nonviolent offenses in New York City will no longer have to raisebail money to stay out of jail (Daily Beast) * The program, which is expected to cost nearly $18 million, will allow judges to release up to 3,000 low-risk defendants while placing them under court supervision as they await trial. Supporters of the program hope the initiative will help defendants who otherwise would remain jailed because they cannot afford bail.
The UFT Broke the Law With Advance and None of the Prosecutors Noticed
Why Did the UFT's PAC United for the Future Hire the Advance Group? Was It Part of A Conspiracy to Coordinate their PAC and the Campaign Consultant?
The UFT PAC Paid Advance Through the Fake Group Strategic Consultants Inc. $370,000
Her campaign also got support by two PACs controlled by the Advance Group, NYCLASS and the UFT PAC United for the Future that the UFT tried to hid Advance Groups involvement in with a fake made up company called Strategic Consultants Inc., that CrainsNY found was located in the offices of Advance. Your can bet the farm that with Mayor Bloomberg last minute appointment to the CFB Rose Gill Hearn, his former DOI Commissioner, the finances of Advance client Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo and others are in the middle of a hot hot hot investigation that the media is completely missing. * UFT under fire for apparently trying to hide identity of consulting firm(NYDN)
UFT Controlling Government By Breaking the Election Law . . . DAs Don't Notice?
Cover-Up Of Campaign Consultants Advance Group/Red Horse Involvement in UFT PAC United for the Future, Which Conspired To Break Election Law to Control Council
How Campaign Consultant Lobbyists and The PACs They Controlled Broke the Election Law and Got Away With It and Built A Shadow Government
The UFT PAC Paid Advance Through the Fake Group Strategic Consultants Inc. $370,000
Nothing Has Happen - Five Months Ago the Daily News Wrote:
UFT under fire for apparently trying to hide identity of consulting firm(NYDN)The city’s powerful teachers union is under fire from good-government groups for apparently trying to hide the identity of a consulting firm it was using to boost union-backed candidates. "The listing of the phony firm, 'Strategic Consultants, Inc.,' in campaign filings, obscured that Advance Group was being paid both to promote candidates for the United Federation of Teachers' independent political action committee, and working as the main campaign consultant for several of those same candidates."
The AG and the DAs By Not Enforcing the Election Law Has Enabled Lobbyists and Special Interests to Legalize Bribery Though PACs
PACs are A Crime on the Book Because Prosecutors Who Look the Other Way
The CFB determined under its rules that the Advance Group’s work on behalf of both Council candidates and the supposedly “independent” anti-carriage PAC really amounted to illegal coordination between the campaigns and NYCLASS. The board properly fined Cumbo and Levine. And its crackdown on the out-of-bounds campaign spending by NYCLASS has done the city a huge favor, by providing a badly needed glimpse into the big money play that successfully swung the 2013 city elections. Using funds from donors that included UNITE HERE — a union chaired by Mayor de Blasio’s cousin John Wilhelm — NYCLASS slimed mayoral rival Christine Quinn into oblivion.Now the FBI is probing the funding of the attacks on Quinn, and de Blasio’s flip-flop that led to his vow to ban the horses. The CFB needs to stay vigilant, making every effort to hold NYCLASS, the Advance Group and sponsored candidates to account for their actions in the 2013 campaign. Among the others benefiting from NYCLASS spending was Melissa Mark-Viverito, who took free services from the Advance Group in her successful bid to become City Council speaker.
Wills Who Was Indicted By the AG Over A Year Ago is Still Doing Pay to Play Deal With His Lobbyists Campaign Manager
TRASHY POL: Indicted Queens Councilman slams proposal that hurts campaign donor (NYDN) An indicted Queens pol with the worst attendance record on the City Council showed up to hearings of a committee he doesn’t sit on to blast proposals that threaten to hurt a campaign donor. Councilman Ruben Wills — a Democrat who has received $3,000 from donors tied to Royal Waste and Regal Recycling — slammed a commercial trash handling proposal that would carve the city into zones, and assign each area to one chosen waste company, at a sanitation committee hearing April 29. Wills has received $3,000 from owners, managers and family members of Royal and Regal, which runs a complex of waste transfer and recycling facilities in southeast Queens outside his district. He also got $750 from the companies directly — which had to be returned because corporate contributions are banned under city rules. Last year, he had the worst attendance rate of anyone on the 51 member Council — blowing off 27% of the meetings he was supposed to attend.
Wills is facing a slew of corruption charges — including allegations he stole public campaign funds and used them on Louis Vuitton, Nordstrom and other personal purchases; and that he took a state member item for a sham charity but pocketed most of it. A separate indictment this year charged him with filing false statements with the Conflicts of Interest Board. A political consulting firm formerly employed by Wills, Connective Strategies, has been paid $6,000 by Regal to lobby the Council against that bill. “There is no conflict,” said Connective President Tyquana Henderson, who said she has not lobbied Wills on the matter. Lobbyists Henderson Was Wills Campaign Manager Mr. Wills was arrested as part of a separate case in May and charged in a 12-count indictment with using tens of thousands of dollars in campaign and taxpayer money to enrich himself, buying items such as a $750 Louis Vuitton handbag, authorities said.
Lobbyists Henderson Was Wills Campaign Manager
The arrest of Queens Councilman Ruben Wills is a reality check for those who tout public financing of campaigns as the key to cleaning up Albany Albany
Wills Indicted for A Not-For-Profit Scam Was An Aide for Ex-Senator Huntley Convicted of Another Not-For-Profit Scam
Wills personally submitted a voucher with the state Office of Children and Family Services on behalf of the group in 2010. But Wills declined to answer questions and invoked his Fifth Amendment rights when he was asked about the missing funds by investigators last year. Wills, a former aide to ex-state Sen. Shirley Huntley, who was convicted in another not-for-profit scam. The councilman is also being probe for steering funds to another non profit group, the Young Leaders Institute. Wills and a relative on his payroll, Jelani Mills, were arrested and being processed at the 112th Pct. in Forest Hills .* New York City Councilman Ruben Wills Charged in Fraud ... (May 7, 2014) * City Councilman Pleads Guilty to 1996 Misdemeanor * Indicted NYC Councilman Ruben Wills has worst attendance record among current members, records show:(NYDN) * Wills accuses AG of bias over use of image in campaign ad(NYP) State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is being accused of unfairly smearing an indicted Queens lawmaker by including him in a TV campaign ad, The Post has learned. City Councilman Ruben Wills is now trying to turn the tables, demanding that Schneiderman be removed as the prosecutor in his case for violating a court rule barring prejudicial pretrial publicity against a defendant. Schneiderman’s 30-second TV commercial shows news footage of Wills — handcuffed from behind — being “perp walked” to a vehicle by two police officers. * Schneiderman, at Columbia,laments the state of politics (Capital) “I’m proud of the fact that in the last three and half years—probably every month or so—we have done something that no one has ever done before,” Schneiderman told the gathering. “We change the way people are doing business and the way that governments are operating.”
Wills Wire Failed Why is the Trial Taking So Long?
Wills hit with corruption charges as wire doesn’t catch(NYP) Indicted City Councilman Ruben Wills was trying to get the goods on fellow lawmakers — and get the heat off himself during a state probe of his shady nonprofit — by wearing a wire. Wills, who was arrested last week by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, was doing the secret recording at the behest of Schneiderman’s office, two sources said.But Wills apparently failed to deliver. “He was radioactive, and nobody would speak to him,” a lawmaker said. “Nobody would have anything to do with him.”
What Does Schneiderman Know About the U.S. Attorney's Case Against Cuomo
AG Goes After Corrupt Campaign Spending and Expense Accounts After Lunch With Bharara
What About Closing Moreland and Berlin Rosen, Jennifer Cunningham
Forgotten Flashback Preet Bharara, Eric Schneiderman meet for lunch amid Cuomo’s scandal (NYP)
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman looking intolegislators’ expense accounts, campaign spending (NYDN) Albany and meals, sources say. Schneiderman’s probe comes months after Assemblyman William Scarborough (D-Queens) was indicted on 11 federal charges that he cheated the state by submitting 174 vouchers for at least $40,000 in bogus travel and lodging expenses from 2009 through 2012. While the feds charged Scarborough with the per diem fraud, Schneiderman’s office at the same time hit the veteran assemblyman with 23 state charges that he used more than $38,000 in campaign funds for personal benefit.
His office also recently charged City Councilman Ruben Wills with stealing campaign funds. It’s unclear whether Schneiderman’s look into the per diem system and campaign spending are again in conjunction with the feds. During his speech Monday to the good-government group Citizens Union, Schneiderman — who took some heat for not being publicly critical of Gov. Cuomo’s handling of the now-defunct Moreland anti-corruption commission — is expected to rip past and current efforts at what he sees as incremental reform, said a source familiar with his plans.* State Sen. John Flanagan voted on a host of bills that benefited clients of a law firm where he works, and records show Cablevision, Chase Bank and other such clients lobbied in favor of bills he backed, theDaily News reports: * State Thruway Authority being probed by AG in call-girl scandal, sources say (NYDN)
AG Starts Banging Cuomo What Does He Know?
JCOPE Investigates AG For Campaign Bribery Request to Stop the Investigation of Trump
“Could it really be that this investigation is just to mess with Schneiderman because he’s messing with Cuomo? Is this high school?”
Thursday Update
Did state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman illegally solicit campaign contributions from Donald Trump’s daughter?
Schneiderman probed for allegedly tapping Trumps for cash (NYP)Trump University Trump U. Soho , and have drinks with him at The Four Seasons. “During many of these targeted solicitations, Mr. Schneiderman, on his own initiative, brought up his office’s inquiry into [Trump] . . . [and] assured [Ivanka] and others that they should not be concerned since the investigation was ‘going nowhere,’ ” the Trump complaint said.
AG Does Not Answer Trump . . But Uses Press to Distract With A Press Release
AG Does Not Answer Trump . . But Uses Press to Distract With A Press Release
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman found that telemarketers pulled in a record haul for New York charities in 2013 and kept slightly more than half, in his latest annual “Pennies For Charity” report, the TimesUnion writes: * @AGSchneiderman Today, insurer #ValueOptions will ensure claims for #MentalHealth care are treated the same as physical care claims:
Trump. NY Observer Vs
The original reporter on the story was “spooked” by a conversation with an AG spokesman. “Given his plans to attend law school someday, this reporter resigned from this assignment.” The reporter who ultimately wrote the story said he was “not discouraged or encouraged” by his employer to write anything in particular about Schneiderman. * Newspaper Denies Attorney General Profile Is Donald Trump’s Revenge (Buzzfeed) Bullshit, says the paper. “I obviously don’t see it that way,” says the writer.* Gawker has emails that suggest AG Eric Schneiderman’s case against Donald Trump was a motivating force behind the negative NY Observer profile of the AG. * A New York Observer Article Brings a Spat in Trump’s Orbit(NYT) An article on the New York attorney general portrayed him as vindictive and politically opportunistic. It also included a defense of Donald Trump. Update QUOTE OF THE DAY: “BuzzFeed and the New York Times portrayed the ask as if I walked into my local ice cream place one summer night and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got an idea — how about the kid behind the counter can be a hit man journalist.’ Gawker’s story Wednesday night said that I ‘randomly offered him the freelance assignment.’ That’s not what happened.” – New York Observer Publisher Ken Kurson in a response to criticism of a profile of state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. * The New York Observer’s Ken Kurson responded to criticism of an Attorney General Eric Schneiderman profile with his email and text message interactions with a freelance writer who decided not to write the piece:
NYP: Why Did the AG Not Scream to High Heaven About Moreland Being Shut Down
Eric the silent(NYP Ed) New York than the silence of the state’s top lawman, Eric Schneiderman. If what US Attorney Preet Bharara alleges is true — that for years Assembly Speaker Silver “monetized public office” — why should it have taken a federal prosecutor to bring him down? Why wasn’t it New York ’s attorney general? Schneiderman has said before that our state laws don’t give him much power toprosecute crooked pols. But even if it’s true, the excuse doesn’t wash in this case. When Gov. Cuomo set up the Moreland Commission to “probe systemic public corruption and the appearance of such corruption in state government, political campaigns and elections in New York State
Follow the Money Weitz and Luxenberg to the AG and Others
Weitz and Luxenberg was equally generous with Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Perry Weitz, Felicia Weitz, Arthur Luxenberg, and Randi Luxenberg alone combined for $200,000, with each giving $50,000 according to an article that says “The attorney general has topped even his popular predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, in raising money from organized labor.” There have been other donations since, including $12,500 each from the two named partners.Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) said, “Did Schneiderman go along with Cuomo’s decision to shutter Moreland? Did Cuomo have the power to shut it down if Schneiderman deputized these guys? And if Schneiderman didn’t go along with it, did he just appear to while continuing to investigate? We just don’t know.” The good-government publication Gotham Gazette wrote, “Schneiderman’s entire involvement in the Moreland Commission mess, both past and present, remains a question mark as the AG has only commented to say he shouldn’t comment – something that is becoming a familiar refrain for many of those involved with the commission.”Interestingly, referral fees are at the core of the case against Mr. Silver. The government alleges that Weitz & Luxenberg paid the speaker $1.4 million in salary and another $3.9 for referrals – and that some of those referrals came from a doctor who himself was the beneficiary of state money that Mr. Silver helped arrange.With the stunning arrest of the Speaker, the disbanding of the Moreland commission once again takes center stage. The Attorney General was not only involved with that disbanding, but also counts the law firm at the center of the Speaker’s demise among his biggest donors. With US Attorney Preet Bharara hinting that New Yorkers ought to ‘stay tuned‘ for additional corruption arrests, the next few weeks could prove to be wildly interesting in the Empire State
NYP: Why Did the AG Not Scream to High Heaven About Moreland Being Shut Down
Follow the Money Weitz and Luxenberg to the AG and Others
Weitz and Luxenberg was equally generous with Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Perry Weitz, Felicia Weitz, Arthur Luxenberg, and Randi Luxenberg alone combined for $200,000, with each giving $50,000 according to an article that says “The attorney general has topped even his popular predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, in raising money from organized labor.” There have been other donations since, including $12,500 each from the two named partners.Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) said, “Did Schneiderman go along with Cuomo’s decision to shutter Moreland? Did Cuomo have the power to shut it down if Schneiderman deputized these guys? And if Schneiderman didn’t go along with it, did he just appear to while continuing to investigate? We just don’t know.” The good-government publication Gotham Gazette wrote, “Schneiderman’s entire involvement in the Moreland Commission mess, both past and present, remains a question mark as the AG has only commented to say he shouldn’t comment – something that is becoming a familiar refrain for many of those involved with the commission.”Interestingly, referral fees are at the core of the case against Mr. Silver. The government alleges that Weitz & Luxenberg paid the speaker $1.4 million in salary and another $3.9 for referrals – and that some of those referrals came from a doctor who himself was the beneficiary of state money that Mr. Silver helped arrange.With the stunning arrest of the Speaker, the disbanding of the Moreland commission once again takes center stage. The Attorney General was not only involved with that disbanding, but also counts the law firm at the center of the Speaker’s demise among his biggest donors. With US Attorney Preet Bharara hinting that New Yorkers ought to ‘stay tuned‘ for additional corruption arrests, the next few weeks could prove to be wildly interesting in the Empire State
Moreland Investigation Ends, Media Cover-Up
What Does Schneiderman Know About the U.S. Attorney's Case Against Cuomo
What Does Schneiderman Know About the U.S. Attorney's Case Against Cuomo
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is considering running for governor in 2018, according to those close to him, and is among several discussed A.G. Eric Schneiderman gearing up to run for governor in 2018 if Andrew Cuomo quits (NYDN) * Andrew Cuomo: ‘I plan to stay as long as the people have me’ * Those close to AG Eric Schneiderman acknowledge he’s giving serious consideration to a possible 2018 run for governor, especially if Gov. Andrew Cuomo doesn’t run for a third term. Other Democrats mentioned: US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, Fordham Law Prof. Zephyr Teachout.* Schneiderman Denies Interest In Running For Governor (YNN) * Cuomo did not close the door on running for re-election in 2018, as reports circulate that state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman may be gearing up for a run himself, State of Politics reports: * Gov. Andrew Cuomo opened the door to seeking a third term in 2018, saying he’ll “stay as long as the people have me.”
Schneiderman Fights Walmart for His Union Friends
Attorney General Schneiderman supports Walmart protest(NYDN)
Schneiderman's Analysis
Schneiderman’s Post-Election Analysis(YNN)
Comic Says Schneiderman Used Cocaine As A State Senator
A political activist claims state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, New York’s highest-ranking law-enforcement official, snorted cocaine in the back room of a bar while he was a state senator, the Post writes:
Gillibrand Emails For Schneiderman(YNN) * The 2005 party at which AG Eric Schneiderman is alleged to have snorted cocaine was a benefit for Hurricane Katrina victims headlined by Al Franken. Attendees said there were no drugs at the event.* Activist Randy Credico, who made the allegations about Schneiderman’s drug use, now says he was “hoodwinked” by the NY Post, and he’s not happy about it. AirBnB The New York Post applauds Republican Attorney Generalcandidate John Cahill for his criticism of incumbent AG Eric Schneiderman’s confrontational approach to Airbnb as counterproductive, adding that the state should examine the laws Airbnb is accused of violating to see if they still serve the public’s interest:
A group of downtown Manhattan artists, musicians, fashion designers, and actors – including Susan Sarandon and Julia Stiles – are hosting a fundraiser with a $500 suggested contribution for Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Daily News Endorses Schneiderman
DN editorial board: "Schneiderman should have vocally opposed Gov. Cuomo’s shutdown of the Moreland...commission. Cahill argues appealingly that putting at least one Republican in statewide office would keep Albany Democrats honest. But he has not persuasively made the case for a changing of the guard." He also showed poor judgment in allowing his political consultant and former wife, Jennifer Cunningham, to represent private clients in dealings with his office — and in then withholding email corrrespondence with her that ought to be public information.
ENDORSEMENT: Astorino will tackle corruption in state:(Poststar)
Editorial: For N.Y. governor: Cuomo - Times Union
The AG Who Sat On the Wills' Investigation for Years is Prejudice Against Him?
Queens Councilman Ruben Wills, who is facing fraud and larceny charges, wants Attorney General Eric Schneiderman removed from the case, arguing Schneiderman is prejudiced against him, Crain’s New York writes:
Schneiderman Slamed on Moreland
Republican attorney general hopeful John Cahill is hitting the airwaves with his first TV ad, in which he links his Democratic opponent, AG Eric Schneiderman, to the failed Moreland Commission and pledges to be “tough enough” to clean up corruption in Albany.
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Schneiderman says he "can't comment" on Moreland or any other ong
True, state law limits Schneiderman’s ability to take on Albany’s corruption. And if that’s what’s holding him back on Moreland, he should say so. After all, the original release announcing Moreland made clear that it had the authority to “promptly communicate any evidence of violations of existing laws to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, including the Attorney General.” True, state law limits Schneiderman’s ability to take on Albany’s corruption. And if that’s what’s holding him back on Moreland, he should say so. After all, the original release announcing Moreland made clear that it had the authority to “promptly communicate any evidence of violations of existing laws to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, including the Attorney General.”
It Was the Feds Not the AG That Sent Huntley to Jail . . . Nobody Explain How Feds Got the Case After AG Arrest
NYT Follow Up AG Debate Story is Still Incomplete and AG's Lobby Connection
Cahill Lobbyists Charges Against the AG Were Also Left Out of the NYT's Article
NYP On Monday Keeps the Pressue on the AG
New York’s mute attorney general(NYP Ed) New York’s attorney general played a key part when the Moreland Commission was announced last year. Not only did he choose more than a third of the people who would become members, he later deputized the entire panel. But following a public appearance Friday, he announced, well, he would not be saying anything about the state’s top corruption case — save to confirm he was cooperating with US Attorney Preet Bharara.True, state law limits Schneiderman’s ability to take on Albany’s corruption. And if that’s what’s holding him back on Moreland, he should say so. After all, the original release announcing Moreland made clear that it had the authority to “promptly communicate any evidence of violations of existing laws to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, including the Attorney General.” True, state law limits Schneiderman’s ability to take on Albany’s corruption. And if that’s what’s holding him back on Moreland, he should say so. After all, the original release announcing Moreland made clear that it had the authority to “promptly communicate any evidence of violations of existing laws to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, including the Attorney General.”
AG Eric Schneiderman’s fourth TV ad includes footage of his former Senate colleague, Shirley Huntley, leaving court after her arrest oncorruption charges. Schneiderman, a former Manhattan state senator, helped prosecute Sen. Shirley Huntley, D-Queens, on a variety of corruption charges. She ended up with a year in federal prison in 2013.
NYT Follow Up AG Debate Story is Still Incomplete and AG's Lobby Connection
Nothing In the NYT's Story About Cahill Charges Against Schneiderman Connection to Lobbyist Cunningham and His Herbalife Investigation
The state attorney general and his Republican opponent said donations should not be accepted from companies under investigation.Mr. Schneiderman, who has accepted at least $50,000 in contributions from the Democratic Attorneys General Association since 2010, said, “I don’t go to many of their meetings anyway, but I would consider taking steps to ensure that this doesn’t happen in the future or stepping down.”* As @Herbalife expands lobbying efforts, will @AGSchneidermanstand up for New York Latino victims ? [UPDATED]
Interesting the NYT Left Out Cahill Question to the AG If He Was OK With Cuomo's Decision to Close Down Moreland
Cunningham's firm hired by Herbalife as Dickstein Shapiroresponds to Schneiderman's probe of Herbalife (Progressive Queens)
Miss the heated AG debate between Schneiderman and Cahill?Watch the full debate here: (NY1) * In New York Attorney General Debate, Cahill and SchneidermanClash Over Ethics and Integrity (NYT) Said Mr. Cahill, the case of an assemblyman, Vito Lopez, who resigned in May 2013 after being accused of sexually harassing female employees. But Mr. Schneiderman fired back, saying such accusations were “repugnant.” “The assertion that I had anything to do with the settlement in the Vito Lopez case was completely dismantled” by a state ethics commission, he said. “You keep saying things even though you know they are not true.”“Mr. Cahill stressed Mr. Schneiderman’s role in a state commission to investigate public corruption that was hastily dismantled in March by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, leading to a federal investigation. Mr. Schneiderman helped Mr. Cuomo form the panel, and Mr. Cahill sought on Thursday to link him to its questionable demise, calling the panel “the Schneiderman commission.”* Eric Schneiderman receives big bucks from hydrofrackinginvestor (NYDN) * State AG Eric Schneiderman, GOP challenger John Cahill sparon gun control, abortion at debate (NYDN) * AG candidates jaw in debate …Schneiderman and Cahill exchanged blows in a lively debateon TWC News and NY1. @caseybortnick has the highlights (TU) * Schneiderman and Cahill Square Off in Heated Attorney General Debate (NYO)
While the NYT Was Soft On the AG it Slams Cuomo On LIPA's Response to Sandy
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| Don't Walk Out of A Dinner With the NYT? |
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Power Play(NYT) By THE EDITORIAL BOARDAn investigation shows that the governor was largely responsible for the Long Island Power Authority’s bumbling response to Hurricane Sandy.A New York Times investigation by Susanne Craig now shows that Mr. Cuomo’s administration meddled with the commission’s inquiry and report, partly to shield him from any blame for LIPA’s bumbling response to the storm. Kathleen Rice, who was in charge of the section of the commission’s report dealing with LIPA, dedicated several pages to staffing issues and concluded that LIPA “may have benefited” during the storm if positions like that of communications chief, the person who could have kept customers informed, had been filled. That finding did not appear in a report to the governor in January 2013. A Rally of Cuomos and Clintons, and Some Weren’t Even There(NYT) Democratic nostalgia seemed to be the theme of the night as former President Bill Clinton campaigned on Thursday for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.* Gov. Cuomo’s ugly economic legacy(NYP Ed) * The answer to Cuomo’s prayer(NYP ED) The stakes couldn’t be higher: A Democratic-run Legislature would fuel New York ’s most left-wing, radically progressive movements. Unions would move to squeeze taxpayers, businesses, job-seekers and consumers. Charter schools — and the thousands of minority kids desperate to attend them — would take a huge hit, too. Even Democratic Gov. Cuomo (as everyone knows) is praying for a GOP Senate majority, despite his vow to the Working Families Party to help Dems take charge there. He knows Senate Republicans have been key to some of his biggest achievements, e.g., his property-tax cap and a pro-charter bill.
NYP Says the AG Be Making More Enemies Like the Bulldozer . . . They Were Not Happy With Spitzer Either
Dozens of key staffers fleeing Schneiderman’s office(NYP) Two dozen key staffers have fled state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office in the past two years, with most decrying “a lack of leadership,” former employees claim. Most of the lawyers and high-ranking operatives took less prestigious jobs. One ex-employee called the agency “rudderless.” “The reality was there wasn’t a lot of follow- through. There wasn’t any clear mandate. It just feels like there’s this leadership vacuum,” said the source. One who left is William Schaefer, who led the Public Integrity Bureau and is now working for the Brooklyn DA.
The NYT is Counting On an Un-Elected Prosecutor to Clean Up Albany
It’s not just Mr. Bharara’s job to clean up Albany. It is up to the voters to decide whether to go on endorsing business as usual. As the indictments and embarrassments continue (26 at latest count since 1999), New Yorkers will have to decide if their representatives are politicians they can trust, including Mr. Cuomo. * U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara appeared on PBS’ “Charlie Rose” and said his office will succeed in cleaning up corruption in Albany where the Moreland Commission failed “because if other people aren’t going to do it, then we’re going to do it,” Gannett Albany reports
* Bharara: “We are the people who do our jobs" (LoHud) * Bharara and Schneiderman Do Lunch(YNN)
Schneiderman Puts Together A Grand Jury to Investigate Criminal Charges Against Former DA Joe Hynes
Grand jury set to probe former Brooklyn D.A. Charles Hynes (NYDN) New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has convened the panel in Brooklyn Supreme Court on allegations Hynes misappropriated public funds. The state's top lawman has empaneled a grand jury to probe possible criminal charges against former Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes and some of his office staff, the Daily News has learned.
Trump Sues JCOPE over Inaction of Schneiderman Complaint
Donald Trump sues JCOPE over its inaction on ethics complaint against Attorney General Schneiderman(NYDN) Trump’s complaint accuses Schneiderman of hitting up the mega rich real estate tycoon’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner for campaign donations at the same time he was probing Trump University. Trump filed the complaint just a few months after Scheiderman brought a lawsuit accusing Trump of defrauding thousands of people through bogus courses offered by Trump University.
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AG Who Gets Campaign Contributions From Taxi Industry, Tried to Stop UBER
Over 100 Years Ago Tammany Hall Went After the Subway Developers to Protect the Horse Carriage Taxi Industry
Schneiderman Who Buys TV Ads
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s re-election campaign has purchased $1 million worth of advertising time with TV stations in the state’s five largest media markets for the last few weeks of his campaign against Republican John Cahill, The Wall Street Journal writes:
Even Schneiderman is Blaming the Press
Eric Schneiderman Blames Press for Promoting Republican Challenger(NYO) Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, coming off his easy 14-point triumph over Republican challenger John Cahill, blamed political reporters for depicting the race as remotely close. Mr. Schneiderman defeated Mr. Cahill, former chief of staff to ex-Gov. George Pataki, by nearly half a million votes–comparable to fellow Democrats Gov. Andrew Cuomo and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s victories over GOP Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and Onondaga County Comptroller Bob Antonacci. Speaking on the Capitol Pressroom radio program, the state’s top lawman said the media had falsely portrayed the contest for his office as competitive. Honestly, I think it was more a phenomenon of the political press and insiders. They like a horse race,” he said. “I think there was an effort by my opponent and he was helped by some of the press in making it look like it was closer than it was.”
* Super PAC Ready GOP Super PAC to launch anti-Schneiderman campaign(NYP) * Working Families Party isn’t really sure about Gov. Cuomo(NYP) The Working Families Party is polling its supporters on whether it should back Democratic Gov. Cuomo’s re-election or ditch him. * A pro-business Super PAC is set to file papers with the state Board of Elections to launch the “Anybody But Schneiderman” effort to oppose state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman* While the remodeling of the Capitol offices for Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive deputy director of operations was completed last September, disclosure of the bills for the times, materials and overtime for the project took until recently, the Times Union. * Despite his current underdog status, Astorino has traveled across the state and made campaign stops everywhere from gun shops to the Hispanic Federation gala in an effort to become a household name, Newsday writes: -- Cuomo reportedly gave his blessing to donors who might boost John Cahill, Schneiderman’s G.O.P. opponent. * John Cahill and his firm represented clients before state--but are not * Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s re-election campaign sent out an email blast warning potential donors that a new Republican Super PAC with the ability to raise unlimited funds is forming to level the field against him, State of Politics reports: *Schneiderman Campaign Fundraises Off Super PAC News(YNN) * .
NYS Attorney Generals Race
Schneiderman Hires Quinn Campaign Manager(WSJ) New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, facing re-election this year, has hired former New York City Council Speaker and mayoral candidate Christine Quinn's campaign manager to fill the same role for him. Mr. Schneiderman, who is likely to face a competitive race to retain the office, has hired Matt Tepper, who managed Ms. Quinn’s failed mayoral bid, which ended in September when she placed third in the Democratic primary. Mr. Schneiderman’s campaign confirmed the hire on Monday.
Eric Schneiderman’s little-noticed move this week to replace the head of his Conviction Review Bureau was not without some controversy.
John Cahill, a former aide to Gov. George Pataki considering a run for state attorney general, attacked current Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for being weak on fighting public corruption, Gannett Albany writes:
Schneiderman Gets involved in the Herbalife Pyramid Scheme
Herbalife hired law firm Dickstein Shapiro to lobby state attorneys general on its behalf, said sources close to the situation, who noted that Schneiderman is a top focus of that effort. Dickstein gave $30,000 to the Democratic Attorneys General Association in the 2012 election cycle. Herbalife donated another $10,000 to the group in May of last year.
Last
week, Herbalife raised the stakes, hiring political advisory SKD
Knickerbocker Group, where Schneiderman’s ex-wife, Jennifer Cunningham,
a powerful state lobbyist, is a managing director. Cunningham, the
former legal counsel to state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver,
previously advised Schneiderman in his campaign for attorney general.
Cunningham will not be on the Herbalife account, Herbalife said. “They
[SKD Knickerbocker are not lobbyists and do not communicate with
state attorneys general or elected officials on [Herbalife’s] behalf,
nor will they in the future,” the company said in a statement.
PACS and the AG Race
Prominent Businessmen Planning Independent Expenditure Campaign Against Eric Schneiderman(NYDN)
recently reported (3rd item) that those close to Schneiderman told one potential opponent, John Cahill, the former chief of staff to ex-Gov. George Pataki, that unions and others supporting the AG are prepared to back their own independent expenditure campaigns.
Trump the NY Observer Vs Schneiderman
Observer: "LESS THAN FIVE years ago, Mr. Schneiderman was an anonymous cog in the chaotic, dysfunctional New York State Senate."
The NY Observer, owned by Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, published a scathing story on AG Eric Schneiderman, that focuses in part on the AG’s dealings with the Trump family. The original reporter on the story was “spooked” by a conversation with an AG spokesman. “Given his plans to attend law school someday, this reporter resigned from this assignment.” The reporter who ultimately wrote the story said he was “not discouraged or encouraged” by his employer to write anything in particular about Schneiderman. * Newspaper Denies Attorney General Profile Is Donald Trump’s Revenge (Buzzfeed) Bullshit, says the paper. “I obviously don’t see it that way,” says the writer.* Gawker has emails that suggest AG Eric Schneiderman’s case against Donald Trump was a motivating force behind the negative NY Observer profile of the AG. * A New York Observer Article Brings a Spat in Trump’s Orbit(NYT) An article on the New York attorney general portrayed him as vindictive and politically opportunistic. It also included a defense of Donald Trump. Update QUOTE OF THE DAY: “BuzzFeed and the New York Times portrayed the ask as if I walked into my local ice cream place one summer night and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got an idea — how about the kid behind the counter can be a hit man journalist.’ Gawker’s story Wednesday night said that I ‘randomly offered him the freelance assignment.’ That’s not what happened.” – New York Observer Publisher Ken Kurson in a response to criticism of a profile of state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. * The New York Observer’s Ken Kurson responded to criticism of an Attorney General Eric Schneiderman profile with his email and text message interactions with a freelance writer who decided not to write the piece:
NY AG steps up campaign against Wall St.(CrainsNY)
A day after declaring a new front in his
battle against abusive practices on Wall Street, New York Attorney
General Eric Schneiderman bagged another scalp.
WSJ Says AG Pay to Play Journalism
The AG's Eyeliner
An already tense relationship between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is said to be escalating as the two butt heads over what to do with the money won in a settlement with JPMorgan Chase, The New York Times writes:
* Attorney General Subtweets Governor With ‘Eyelashes’ Joke(NYO)
*The New York Times delved into the relationship between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, which has “gone from bad to toxic,” one source told the paper. “Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has asked people if they think Eric T. Schneiderman … wears eyeliner.” The New York Times delved into the relationship between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, which has “gone from bad to toxic,” one source told the paper. “Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has asked people if they think Eric T. Schneiderman … wears eyeliner.”* Schneiderman Tweet Weighs In On Eyelinergate(YYN)
Trump and the NY Observer Vs the AG
Now the AG Has No Comment After the Meal With the U.S. Attorney . . . AG No Comment on the Independent Moreland Commission
When Governor Andrew Cuomo created the Moreland Commission to investigate public corruption, he was assisted by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who deputized 23 of the 25 commissioners with subpoena power. Earlier this year, Schneiderman argued in court documents that the commission was independent. "The attorney general had a critical role here," said John Cahill, the Republican candidate for state attorney general. "Once the executive order was signed, the commission, the investigation really was in the hands of the attorney general, as he states clearly in his papers that this was an independent investigation.""The attorney general had a critical role here," said John Cahill, the Republican candidate for state attorney general. "Once the executive order was signed, the commission, the investigation really was in the hands of the attorney general, as he states clearly in his papers that this was an independent investigation." "He needs to come forward and tell the people of New York, the people that he serves, what he knew about this investigation, what he knew about the political interference," Cahill said. "These deputies were required to report to the attorney general on a weekly basis. Was that done? Did he know about political interference? If he did know, what did he do about it?* Attorney general stays quiet on Moreland panel Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
What Did the Weekly Reports of the Moreland Commission to the AG Say About the Governor's Staff?
The attorney general did receive weekly reports from the commission, although it's unclear what was in those reports. People familiar with the commission's work say they are unlikely to document instances of interference. However, others say it's also unlikely Schneiderman would not have heard about the Cuomo administration's interference. What he did, if he knew, remains unclear.* VIDEO: Schneiderman stays mum on Moreland Commission probe (LoHud)
Daily News Takes A Hard Shot At Schneiderman's Shadow Government Cunningham Lobbyist Protection
Don't want to take questions from the media? Well, OK — but Rick Karlin might gently rap on the tinted window of your taxpayer-funded sled.(TU)
Editorial: Lay it out, Eric(NYDN) Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s dealings with a top political operative with whom he has a long-standing personal and professional relationship are getting too cozy for comfort. Worse, Schneiderman is refusing to release all of his official communications with Jennifer Cunningham under a dubious reading of the Freedom of Information Law. Now is the time for the state’s top legal official to come completely clean. His campaign has paid the firm where she is a managing director, SKDKnickerbocker, $5.8 million over the past four years.But it turns out that Cunningham has been wearing the additional hats of (c) unpaid consultant to the attorney general’s office and (d) paid representative of private clients doing business with that same office. The newly public documents show that Cunningham had gone to bat with Schneiderman and his office on behalf of a half-dozen paying clients over the past four years. They included a hospital owner looking for help with a merger, a health-care company seeking an informational meeting, gay rights activists requesting a quote for a press release, organizers of a forum on prescription drug costs inviting the AG’s office to participate and an anti-bullying group suggesting the wording for a friendly tweet.Meanwhile, Schneiderman’s office is concealing who knows how many additional emails, discussing who knows what topics. Allowing officials to exempt any Tom, Dick or Harriet as “consultants” — without pay or a signed contract — would blow a mile-wide hole in the public’s right to know.*Newspaper Inkind Ads New Yorkers who are struggling to stay in their homes received a boost when state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said there was another $40 million for a Homeowner Protection Program that arose following the 2008 financial crisis, the Times Union reports:
As Cahill Gains Ground in the AG Race Schneiderman is Being Push Into Every Corrupt Democratic Operatives (Very People He Needs to Put In Jail) To Pull Out the Vote For Him
Now the AG Needs the Old Machine to Pull Out the Vote
John Cahill gains ground on Eric Schneiderman(NYP) The Siena College
The Old Machines and the New Tammany Hall Will Pull Votes for Scheiderman
Republican John Cahill accuses Attorney General EricScheiderman of hiding political consultant's role (NYDN) * 3 things John Cahill says about NY's AG silence on MorelandCommission (video) (syracuse.com) * The Ground Zero ad goes on to hit Schneiderman hard where it counts: on the corruption in Albany and the curious silence of the AG regarding Gov. Cuomo’s shutdown of the Moreland Commission. (NYP) * John Cahill assails Eric Schneiderman's record as attorneygeneral (TU) * GOP Attorney General Hopeful John Cahill Backs Airbnb andUber (NYO) * AG candidate John Cahill blasts incumbent for lack of transparency (.legislativegazette.com) * GOP opponent blasts attorney general over Moreland Commission (Buffalo News) * Cahill: AG’s crime unit should vet casino bidders(TU) * The Lopez stain spreads(NYP) Both Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli have had to answer questions over their own roles in the burgeoning mess regarding the hush money secretly paid to Assemblyman Vito Lopez’s first sexual-harassment victim. * New York Attorney General Race Narrows to 16 Points,Poll Says(WSJ)
Don't want to take questions from the media? Well, OK — but Rick Karlin might gently rap on the tinted window of your taxpayer-funded sled.(TU)
Schneiderman Protects Lobbyist Cunningham
Editorial: Lay it out, Eric(NYDN) Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s dealings with a top political operative with whom he has a long-standing personal and professional relationship are getting too cozy for comfort. Worse, Schneiderman is refusing to release all of his official communications with Jennifer Cunningham under a dubious reading of the Freedom of Information Law. Now is the time for the state’s top legal official to come completely clean. His campaign has paid the firm where she is a managing director, SKDKnickerbocker, $5.8 million over the past four years.But it turns out that Cunningham has been wearing the additional hats of (c) unpaid consultant to the attorney general’s office and (d) paid representative of private clients doing business with that same office. The newly public documents show that Cunningham had gone to bat with Schneiderman and his office on behalf of a half-dozen paying clients over the past four years. They included a hospital owner looking for help with a merger, a health-care company seeking an informational meeting, gay rights activists requesting a quote for a press release, organizers of a forum on prescription drug costs inviting the AG’s office to participate and an anti-bullying group suggesting the wording for a friendly tweet.Meanwhile, Schneiderman’s office is concealing who knows how many additional emails, discussing who knows what topics. Allowing officials to exempt any Tom, Dick or Harriet as “consultants” — without pay or a signed contract — would blow a mile-wide hole in the public’s right to know.*Newspaper Inkind Ads New Yorkers who are struggling to stay in their homes received a boost when state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said there was another $40 million for a Homeowner Protection Program that arose following the 2008 financial crisis, the Times Union reports:
As Cahill Gains Ground in the AG Race Schneiderman is Being Push Into Every Corrupt Democratic Operatives (Very People He Needs to Put In Jail) To Pull Out the Vote For Him
Now the AG Needs the Old Machine to Pull Out the Vote
John Cahill gains ground on Eric Schneiderman(NYP) The Siena College
The Old Machines and the New Tammany Hall Will Pull Votes for Scheiderman
Republican John Cahill accuses Attorney General EricScheiderman of hiding political consultant's role (NYDN) * 3 things John Cahill says about NY's AG silence on MorelandCommission (video) (syracuse.com) * The Ground Zero ad goes on to hit Schneiderman hard where it counts: on the corruption in Albany and the curious silence of the AG regarding Gov. Cuomo’s shutdown of the Moreland Commission. (NYP) * John Cahill assails Eric Schneiderman's record as attorneygeneral (TU) * GOP Attorney General Hopeful John Cahill Backs Airbnb andUber (NYO) * AG candidate John Cahill blasts incumbent for lack of transparency (.legislativegazette.com) * GOP opponent blasts attorney general over Moreland Commission (Buffalo News) * Cahill: AG’s crime unit should vet casino bidders(TU) * The Lopez stain spreads(NYP) Both Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli have had to answer questions over their own roles in the burgeoning mess regarding the hush money secretly paid to Assemblyman Vito Lopez’s first sexual-harassment victim. * New York Attorney General Race Narrows to 16 Points,Poll Says(WSJ)
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