Results tagged “ethicspanel”

Remember when Caroline Kennedy was, you know, thinking about, you know, taking over Hillary Clinton's, you know, Senate seat? Governor Paterson seemed poised to appoint her but then she dropped out quickly and all these rumors about tax problems or issues with a domestic worker popped up...and it turned out the leaks were from Paterson's own staff! Well, nine months later, Paterson won't have to face heat over that, because the state's Ethics Panel doesn't think there's anything to it.

The NY Times reports that three watchdog groups are urging the NY State ethics panel to investigate leaks that came as Caroline Kennedy's Senate bid unraveled. Per a letter, the groups say "the commission needs to determine whether the Paterson administration violated state laws by leaking confidential information about Ms. Kennedy as part of a political strategy aimed at deflecting blame for her withdrawal." After Kennedy decided not to seek Hillary Clinton's vacated Senate seat, sources from Governor Paterson's office offered a myriad of reasons why Paterson never going to choose her anyway; one told the Post that "the governor 'had no intention' of picking Caroline Kennedy for New York's vacant senate seat - because she was 'mired' in an issue over taxes, her nanny and possibly her marriage." Paterson even admitted the leaks were from his staff, but claimed not to know who made them. The watchdog groups think a probe would help "[clear] the executive chamber from a lingering ethical taint or [vindicate] the public’s interest by restoring integrity to the appointment process.”

While four Spitzer administration officials were charged for breaking the law by misusing the State Police to smear a rival, former Governor Spitzer--who knew full well what was going on--wasn't charged. State Commission on Public Integrity head Richard Teitelbaum, though, suggested Spitzer could potentially face charges, telling the Post, "If there's additional evidence that is received, we will deal with that evidence... We will pursue that evidence." (Teitelbaum's law firm did donate to Spitzer's various campaigns for AG and governor, but he said he wasn't friends with the disgraced gov.) Still, there are e-mails explicitly showing that his aides kept him in the loop in the effort to bring down former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.