Editorial: NY Ethics Groups 'Miserable Failures'

Wake up the watchdogs
EDITORIAL - The New York Daily News - April 13, 2008

There's a crime wave going on in Albany, and the ethics cops are nowhere to be found. The governor's office, until last month, was in the hands of a dissembler who cavorted with prostitutes. Aides covered for their boss. Legislators have been indicted at the rate of one every few months. And none of this was exposed by the two agencies established last year in a vaunted ethics crackdown. The Public Integrity Commission and the Legislative Ethics Commission have been utter, miserable failures.

Consider the record of the Public Integrity Commission, which is charged with watching over the governor's office and executive agencies. Its Troopergate probe has dragged on for eight months, with no visible result. Meanwhile, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo completed an investigation into the roles played by Spitzer aides and, at Gov. Paterson's request, began an inquiry into potential misconduct by the State Police.

The commission's inaction has destroyed its credibility. And its pronounced lack of aggressiveness raises serious question as to whether a panel dominated by gubernatorial appointees can be independent. Worse is the Legislative Ethics Commission, which is said to monitor the Assembly and Senate for conflicts of interest and other breaches. But hasn't been heard from since before Noah.

As part of last year's reforms, lawmakers expanded the panel to include members from outside the Legislature. But Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno cared so little about enforcement, they didn't fill one of the new seats. And the commission failed to meet the minimal requirements of the law, such as posting ethics advice on the Internet. Of course, no legislators were found to have done anything wrong.

Reform must begin anew. Having proven their unworthiness, the 13 members of the Public Integrity Commission should voluntarily resign. Paterson and the Legislature would then be able to appoint high-caliber replacements without being accused of undue interference. The new commissioners could then beef up the staff with seasoned prosecutors. Longer term, the law should be rewritten to make the panel more independent - by giving the governor fewer seats - and to require release of fuller information about its probes.

As for the Legislature, Bruno and Silver should try complying with the law they wrote last year. Then go further by making the panel an independent enforcement agency. They should also enact full financial disclosure to reveal who pays lawmakers how much. And begin to live up to a standard followed by Congress and the City Council: On indictment, members should lose perks and privileges until vindicated. Albany's stables need a thorough cleaning - and fast.