Investigating Corruption

In the wake of the corruption arrest of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a recent survey conducted in New York State claims that people view the politics in Albany and Washington DC as being corrupt – Yet when it comes to local government they have more trust.

Nonetheless – there are those critics of our government who claim that there is much to be desired right here in Sullivan County.

Despite the fact that there was a great deal of attention when this legislature approved what looked like ethics reform along with a new ethics commission – It in fact has been watered down from its original intent and has done very little.

The reality is that certain allegations that some people viewed as being unethical were stopped from even going before the Ethics Commission by higher ups in our county.

With allegations of scandals at the Department of Family Services, and people angered (whether right or wrong) over huge tax abatements being awarded by the IDA, and some members of the “Ole Boys Club” allegedly pulling many strings and profiting from tax dollars – Some are discussing an Independent Commission to look into the affairs of how Sullivan County operates.

I am told that some of these critics of various aspects of Sullivan County government have privately contacted US Attorney Preet Bharara, but they are fearful they won’t be investigated because the headlines of potential wrongdoings would be minimal.

With that said.

We are a small county and as with any government the size of ours – people who know or are related to people in power will always benefit one way or another.

Just because something appears to be unethical or illegal – Does not mean it actually is.

Also, one has to consider if those people who are making these allegations have their own motives, are acting out of jealousy, or in actuality – Just want open and transparent honest productive government.

I am told that more than one Sullivan County legislator has been informally discussing the possibility of calling for the appointment of an Independent Commission to investigate possible alleged corruption at all levels of county government. This concept has also been a popular topic among several potential Legislative candidates in next fall’s election.

In order for such a commission to even be considered there must be some public allegations and concrete reasoning.

A well known county figure who has been involved in local politics for nearly forty years and is pushing for such a commission told me that one legislator has gone so far as to confirm that the County Charter provides the Legislature with the authority to conduct such an investigation.

That person told me “The County Charter, under Legislative powers and duties, Section C2-02 states that the Legislature can subpoena witnesses, direct all papers, summaries, audits, investigations etc.”

It is envisioned that this proposed commission would function along the lines of the commissions that can be appointed by the governor on the state legislature under authority of the so-called Moreland Act, introduced by Republican Assembly Leader Sherman Moreland and passed in 1907.

I don’t think that anyone can really imagine that this legislature would call for such an actual commission – but it might make some great campaign rhetoric for November’s elections.

The longtime Sullivan County political operative who wished to remain unidentified told me, “I think the dirty little secret is that there are those who make sure that laws and internal operating rules are crafted in such a way as to exempt themselves or to allow themselves to circumvent them. This could be the ethics rules or the nepotism rules or the doing business with the county rules. A non-partisan, un-beholden commission charged with investigating all aspects of county government looking for fraud and abuse of power would uncover all of that.”

On the state level, these governor appointed commissions have the power “to examine and investigate the management and affairs of any department, board, bureau or commission of the state.” Investigators are empowered to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, hold hearings, and subpoena “any books or papers deemed relevant or material.”

Of course, as we learned from Governor Cuomo’s recent debacle with his own ill-fated Moreland Commission on Public Corruption, such a commission can only work if it is completely independent and non-partisan and comprised members who were not beholden to the “Good Ole Boys” network, unions, or any political party.

If this commission develops any legs to it – it would have to be chaired by someone with unquestioned integrity and ethics and would be aggressive and fair. Names like retired District Attorney Steve Lungen and retired Appellate Division Judge Anthony Kane were mentioned by the person who contacted me.

That person further told me The FBI states that “public corruption poses a fundamental threat to our national security and way of life. It impacts everything from how well our borders are secured and our neighborhoods protected…to verdicts handed down in courts…to the quality of our roads, schools, and other government services. And it takes a significant toll on our pocketbooks, wasting billions in tax dollars every year.”

In a 1990 report entitled, “Restoring the Public Trust: A Blueprint for Government Integrity” the New York State Commission on Government Integrity concludes that “certain basic principles should apply to all those doing the business of government, including authorities and other public corporations. These principles include at a minimum: public disclosure of transactions; contracting procedures that ensure competition; employment decisions based on merit and fitness; decision making by leaders free from conflicts of interest; documentation of all decisions; sound internal controls; and periodic audit of books and records, with the results made public.”

It all sounds great on paper – Doesn’t it?

Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.