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The People Speak: Bruno Trial Jurors' Opinions
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Robert Wechsler
If citizens could once in their lives be a juror in a government ethics
trial, we would have incredible ethics laws. This is the conclusion one
comes to after reading, in an
Albany Times-Union article, the comments of jurors in the trial of former NY
senate majority leader Joseph Bruno for misuse of office and failure to disclose.
Here are a few of the jurors' comments:
"What I saw was absolutely pathetic. There's not disclosure there; it's concealment and deception. I never saw anything like it."
"To think this is how government people conduct their lives. I was extremely disappointed that they did not convict him on more charges."
"It was really frustrating, upsetting. I would never consider using my work staff to do my non-core business things."
"I am a Republican, but after going through this trial I am of the opinion that any incumbent ought to be thrown out." She said incumbents in general, and those in the majority in particular, control too much power over state resources, which they use to ensure their ability to be reelected.
"If it was a joint venture you didn't have to include it, but if it was a partnership, you did. I don't see why you wouldn't have to include joint ventures on your forms as well."
[T]he Legislative Ethics Commission, which is appointed by the legislative leaders, has to accept responsibility for the lax ethical standards revealed by the Bruno trial. It should be asking for more information so that disclosure forms are complete ... "They're the ones who should have questions; it seems like they're not really doing their job."
"Somebody needs to be watching."
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics
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Here are a few of the jurors' comments:
"What I saw was absolutely pathetic. There's not disclosure there; it's concealment and deception. I never saw anything like it."
"To think this is how government people conduct their lives. I was extremely disappointed that they did not convict him on more charges."
"It was really frustrating, upsetting. I would never consider using my work staff to do my non-core business things."
"I am a Republican, but after going through this trial I am of the opinion that any incumbent ought to be thrown out." She said incumbents in general, and those in the majority in particular, control too much power over state resources, which they use to ensure their ability to be reelected.
"If it was a joint venture you didn't have to include it, but if it was a partnership, you did. I don't see why you wouldn't have to include joint ventures on your forms as well."
[T]he Legislative Ethics Commission, which is appointed by the legislative leaders, has to accept responsibility for the lax ethical standards revealed by the Bruno trial. It should be asking for more information so that disclosure forms are complete ... "They're the ones who should have questions; it seems like they're not really doing their job."
"Somebody needs to be watching."
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics
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- Robert Wechsler's blog
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