Anthony Palumbo, the Republican and Conservative candidate for the 2nd Assembly District, announced his support today for a state Constitutional amendment to strip elected officials convicted of a felony of their taxpayer-funded pensions. Palumbo, a former assistant district attorney and vigorous proponent of reform, sees this measure as essential to restoring good government and ending the rampant corruption in Albany.
“New Yorkers deserve better than having their tax dollars go to fund a cushy retirements for felons moonlighting as elected officials,” said Palumbo. “I am tired of the public having to tolerate a culture of corruption from NYC politicians who taint the public trust by enriching their personal agendas at the expense of taxpayers.”
Find out what's happening in Riverheadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Simply put, if you’ve abused the public trust and don’t have the decency to respect the people you are sworn to serve, then you have no right to the luxury of a public-funded pension.”
Earlier this year, NYC Assemblyman Eric Stevens (D-Bronx) was arrested for taking bribes to do favors for owners of adult day care centers. He was just one in a string of elected officials charged with crimes related to their role as law makers. In 2006, Comptroller Alan Hevesi (D) was convicted for his role in a “pay to play” pension scheme after he admitted taking over $1 million from a pension-fund investor to finance gifts, trips and campaign contributions.
Find out what's happening in Riverheadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Far too often, we hear that the public doesn’t trust their government, that representatives in Albany and elsewhere only run for office to support their own greed and selfishness. We need to restore the public trust and make government work for the people of New York again. As a former prosecutor, I fully support pending legislation to close all loopholes and legal technicalities that stand in the way of combating corruption. The first step in is to hit corrupt politicians in their pocketbook where the feel it the most. In the coming weeks, I will lay out my plan to combat crime and fight corruption. As the next Assemblyman, I will make sure our elected officials further the advancement of our communities and not their own NYC agendas and self-interests,” Palumbo concluded.
