From the NY Post:Attorney General Andrew Cuomo today revealed the inner workings of an $800,000 pay-to-play kickback scheme at the state comptroller's office involving former Liberal Party boss Ray Harding and the selling of a state Assembly seat for Alan Hevesi's son.
The felony complaint alleges that Harding obtained the large amount in illegal fees on state pension fund investments as a reward for opening up a state Assembly seat for then- Comptroller Alan Hevesi's son and for over 30 years of political endorsements.
And from the Daily News:
Queens Democrat Michael Cohen has no plans to end his City Council bid despite being named today in AG Andrew Cuomo's felony complaint against former Liberal Party boss Ray Harding.
Michael Tobman, Cohen's political consultant, said his client is "still a candidate."
Tobman could not go very far in responding to Cuomo's allegation that Harding worked with unnamed aides to then-Gov. George Pataki to land Cohen a six-figure job with the Health Insurance Plan of New York in exchange for his agreement to give up his Assembly seat so Andy Hevesi could run for it.
164 comments:
And the corruption goes continues. When will the FBI really step in and do a thorough investigation and house cleaning in New York City and State?
Michael Cohen needs to drop out tommorow. Tobman is trying to keep the guy in to make money. C'mon Michael. You cant be that stupid.
They say: "A conservative is a liberal who's been mugged."
And also: "A liberal is a conservative who got arrested."
But what do you call a liberal who got arrested?
Mike Cohen is a thickheaded guy. He will get the shit beat out of him in this campaign and his consultants will laugh all the way to the bank. Maybe Tobman is splitting it with evil eyes Jack Chartier.
Stepping down from your seat to get a legitimate job is criminal?
What law did he break?
How is it different when other politicians elect not to run to get a comfy patronage position?
If Cohen knew about the kickbacks then he should be held accountable. But not for resigning for a non-taxpayer funded job.
A legitimate job ?
1) Ray Harding is a father of a convicted pedophile. He is now indicted himself as well. He was also apparently Michael Cohens political godfather. This campaign will be all about Cohens relationship with the pedophile guy. Cant wait to see Hardings face all over the Tribune and on posters in Forest Hills.
2) The initial indictment says that Harding put together a deal where some insurance company (voters like insurance companies even less than they do pedophiles) hires a completely unqualified guy, a former bus dispather, to a six figure job, as part of a payola scandal.
3) "If Cohen knew about the kickbacks ..." ?????? Cohen IS the kickback.
Okay. So Cohen is either completely nuts or his handlers are really selling him a bill of goods.
Yeah, Mike, you could still run, there was nothing illegal here, yeah what law did you break Mike ?
btw SEND ME MY FAT RETAINER !!!!!!
Cohen is going to destroy whatever was left of his name.
"How is it different from when politicans take a comfy govt job ?"
Well only in the fact that a slimy insurance company got paid off to hire a former bus dispather to a six figure job. The deal was put together by the indicted political Boss who is the father of a convicted pedophile. The fat Boss got $800,000 in kickbacks from a foreign investment firm by getting Cohen the job, thereby making the indicted Comptroller happy.
Oh yeah, this isnt a problem for Cohen. Yeah Mike, listen to your consultant, not your own common sense in your head. Your a real viable candidate.
"But what do you call a liberal who got arrested?"
Mr. Harding!
Insurance Company $$$$ Corruption Michael Cohen $$$$$$ Hevesi/Morris $$$$$$ Harding $$$$$$ Pedophiles $$$$$$$ Indictment
The feds are surely earning their keep!
Anonymous said...
"But what do you call a liberal who got arrested?"
Mr. Harding!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
===================================
Harding is a Liberal like Bloomberg is a Republican.
After reading that Cohens campaign manager spit in his face, I am sure Andrew Cuomo just pulled out the files and said "Lets take another look at this...." What a fool. Cohen needs to go back to the bus corner.
Guiliani's friend. LOL
Some websites that explain Cohen better. With a sick wife wouldn't you quit an upstate job to be by your wife?
Newsday: http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2009/04/cuomos_queens_hardings_a_long.html
http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/cohens-council-bid-unaffected-cuomos-harding-indictment-spokesman-says
newsday:
http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2009/04/cuomos_queens_hardings_a_long.html
Ray Harding? Wasn't he Rudy Giuliani's pal?
Michael Cohen better be real, real, real careful here.
He is using his ill wife as an excuse.
The last guy who did that was Hevesi. And the press decided to really, really carefully look at Hevesi.
His wife illness does not explain away the most importatnt things:
1) Did he approach Ray Harding or was he approached by Ray Harding concerning a high paying job at an insurance company if he quit his seat.
2) Are we to believe that Hevesi, Harding and Hank Morris all sat down with Cohen and promised to find him a job and he didnt think the whole thing smelled.
3) So his wifes illness forced him to enter a deal with Harding and Morris ? How exactly is that the case ? There were no other jobs availible in a city of 8 million people ?
Cmon Michael. Dont make the mistake of trying to be slick here. Your consultant wont be there for you the day after the editorials kill you. There are a lot of reporters getting their backs up with your silly defense.
From Newsday blog: Apparently Ray Harding did this deal with Michael Cohen so he could raise money for his pedophile sons legal fees. And Michael Cohen is trying to lay this at his deceased family members feet.
"Sure, it struck some of us as a bit strange a few years ago when suddenly, Assemb. Michael Cohen, representing Forest Hills, left the legislature citing family reasons. The borough of Queens being what it is, though, these kinds of mysteries sometimes get explained long afterward in court papers.
So it seems to be with Cuomo's felony complaint against former Liberal Party boss Ray Harding which is posted here. With Hank Morris, close Hevesi aide, taking care of Harding, there was a move to "generate a vacancy in the Assembly" for pruposes of putting Comptroller Alan Hevesi's son Andrew Hevesi in the Assembly. In a meeting, Cohen said "he was interested in obraining a private sector job due to a family illness." He was looking for six figures and to keep his city pension. An aide to Gov. Pataki agreed to help the Hevesi camp, as AG's investigator Gerard Matheson states. The Assemblyman was to be introduced to a high level insurance exec. Harding was thanked. The Queens Democrats agreed to give Andrew Hevesi the nomination, tantamount to election in that district, in a special election arranged through the governor's office.
Another note: A factor in the alleged scheme as presented was Ray Harding's search for funds -- due to his son Russell's legal bills stemming from embezzlement and other offenses during the Giuliani administration."
"Some websites that explain Cohen better. With a sick wife wouldn't you quit an upstate job to be by your wife?"
Read this !!! Amazing. No NO NO. With a a sick wife I wouldnt look to enter an illegal deal to defraud taxpayers of $800,000 as a payola scheme to funnel money to a pedophiles legal defense fund.
NO NO NO I wouldnt do that. I would just go get another fuckin job.
I don't think Cohen knew there was an illegal kickback
I seriously doubt that Mike was told Harding was getting a kickback. Looks like they saw an opportunity and made him an offer he couldn't refuse
I don't think Andrew or Mike knew what the true motives were for the vacancy. But this looks sooooo bad for everyone.
Harding is a Liberal like Bloomberg is a Republican.
Really??? Well he was head of the Liberal Party. Exactly what are / were his political positions?
This trying to explain away Cohens actions is real pathetic. He didnt know ? He didnt know what ? That Ray Harding, one of the biggest political bosses in the state was focusing on finding a job for some random asssemblyman who he had never met before ?
Oh and by the way IT IS ILLEGAL to take a job as part of a deal to endorse and trade it away for a assembly seat (the Assembly seat that was given to Andrew.)
Freakin Michael better wake up or he is gonna end up with the rest of these guys in jail.
Gallagher, McGalauglin, Hevesi ... Cohen ?
"1) Did he approach Ray Harding or was he approached by Ray Harding concerning a high paying job at an insurance company if he quit his seat.
2) Are we to believe that Hevesi, Harding and Hank Morris all sat down with Cohen and promised to find him a job and he didnt think the whole thing smelled."
The indictment reads Cohen was aproached by one person.
A sitdown with Morris and Harding? When did we start making up facts?
Its illegal to resign an Assembly seat for a higher paying private job?
I don't agree with Cohen but that's not illegal. Never illegal to resign a seat for any reason. Even if he was paid to do it.
Where are the lawyers on this blog?
Hevesi went to jail?
Its not illegal to trade an assembly seat for a job ? what are talking about ? of course it is.
illegal ? do you realize there are tons of vague laws which is how all these guys get into trouble.
the state officers law. have you ever read it. you dont think a prosecutor could say this violates 2 or 3 of those rules.
the deal was to raise mobney for the pedophile ? yeah go to court on that one buddy.
have you ever heard of conspiracy to defraud ?
violating the officers laws ?
the ethics laws for state employees ?
cmon dude the complaints are being drawn up as we speak.
The deal was to raise money for the pedophile?
The deal was to vacate a seat for Hevesi's son. You think Alan or Mike cared about Harding's legal bills? lol
So when all those politicians )Assembly, Senate) don't seek reelection to let the lame duck council candidates run that will be illegal?
Is there any mention that Mike or Andrew knew that the kickbacks were financial and not political?
LAWYER: you need to prove that Cohen approached Morris, Hevasi, or Harding first. Then you need to prove Cohen knew that Morris was giving complicated kick-backs or rewards to Harding.
The indictment reads that a governr rep approached Cohen first, and then Harding approached Queens Committee second.
It appeared Cohen knew that his resignation would let Hevesi get elected but there looks like no way of knowing any money was being moved.
Unless there are recordings, Cohen and Hevesi are going free...for now
Didn't Spitzer get some Republicans to resign a seat for an Albany job so a Dem can get elected?
is that illegal?
To all you political know it alls:
Cohen did not have the power to put someone in his seat. It's the district leaders who make the nomination for a special election. He really did nothing wrong by vacating a seat for job closer to home. Read the Harding complaint.
Obviously, someone inside is making a deal and singing like a canary. This seems to always be the case when these types of accusations are made. Then, once you start denying your involvement, they keep feeding you the rope until the next thing you know it finds its way around your neck. At the root of this problem is the hack mentality that keeps us all prisoners to the constant incompetence in our government. This November vote for anyone who is not part of any machine.
M-C-L-A-U-G-H-L-I-N
Wow. These comments show you how people like Morris and Harding and Cohen end up in jail.
A complete tone deafness to the real world.
His supporters are blogging in support of him with complicated legal theories after an indictment revealed that he did a deal to give up his Assembly seat in order get a $ six figure job as an insurance lobbyist so a political boss could steal $800,000 to pay for his kids legal bills on a pedophilia charge.
I am sure the Rabbis will love that in the district.
Good luck Mike.
When Alan Hevesi was in trouble, not one resident of Forest Hills interviewed by the news thought he was a bad guy and his son got re-elected in a landslide.
No its not illegal for a Governor to get a Republican a job so a Democrat can replace him in an election.
The Michael Cohen indictment is something different. In the indictment, it says that Cohen himself said he would give up his seat if a high paying job could be found and hand delivered to him. A job that was his before he ever walked into the interview room.
Of course this violates the Public Officers and Ethics Laws.
And of course District Attorney Brown will look into this.
Okay. Cohen will run as the indicted conspirator in a payola scandal involving a pedophile. Good luck.
The Michael Cohen indictment is a perfect example of what is wrong with our political system. How dare he claim that his wifes health had something to do with this. A no-show lobbyist job was all he could find.
Throw all the bums out. Put them all in jail and throw away the key.
The sad part is that Morris and Cohen and all these guys were indicted for stealing money and thats what we focus on.
What about the pedophilia that was at the heart of all of this. Ray Harding stole money so that he could help keep a pedophile on the streets.
I wonder how Michael Cohen voted on pedophile issues while he was in the Assembly ?
I like the guy who says that everyone still loves Hevesi.
Yeah, and they will love the guy who did the deal to free a convicted pedophile.
COHEN WAS NOT INDICTED YOU IDIOTS
Harding was indicted. Cuomo's office said he is not a target
His job has nothing to do with lobbying. Who is making up these facts???
Why are they saying he was indicted? Who are these people posting this crap?
Has anyone every had a friend get them a job? has anyone gotten a job without having to ace the interview because of your friends?
I have, and I 've helped my friends get jobs where I work too
Michael Cohen was not indicted and there are no charges pending.
I am stating for the record: If someone guarantees me a higher paying job I will resign from my current job. Will i go to jail for that?
After a simple article we go from Michael Cohen getting bad press to some crazies claiming he was indicted.
Please show an article that claims he knew there were illegal kickbacks.
Anyone? Open challenge here!
Do you people know how to read? It's not the Michael Cohen indictment. Look at the complaint, he spoke with the AG's office. Would you leave a job unless you had another one? I guess Mike's opponents are the ones writing this crap. He's definately the front runner and this is the only way any of them can get the council seat. Let's make a good candidate look a criminal. Beware, your dirty laundry could be aired soon.
How come no one is sniffing around that Crowley had knowledge of this fixed race for Andrew Hevesi?
If any of you really knew Mike, you would know that he is a good man. How sick are you people. His wife was terminally ill and he chose to be with her instead of Albany.
Andew Cuomo was on NY1 tonight specifically talking about the fact that stealing money led to an Assemblyman being given a job so Hevesis son could have an Assemblys seat.
Seems like Andrew has more to go on this.
Its commendable to help a sick family member.
It not OK to sit down with Jack Chartier and tell him you will hand over your Assembly seat to Alan Hevesi's son if you get a high paying no show lobbyist job.
Its not OK to be part of a deal where $800,000 dollars were stolen in order to help free a convicted pedophile.
According to the Michael Cohen indictment, its just not OK.
Andrew Cuomo NEVER said on NY1 that Mike Cohen knew about the money moving around from the pension system.
Plus Mike Cohen was not indicted
Look at all those idiots talking crap out their asses: there was no indictment of Michael Cohen
Just jerkoffs trying to twist the facts of the blog
Michael Cog=hen couldn't hand it to Hevesi's son. There was an election and Queens County backed Andrew Hevesi
Why are there morons saying he was indicted?
could it be the same retard each time???
Mel is that you????
lol...Mel
Lets correct the record for the idiots:
Harding was motivated by money (from Morris illegally)to offer Cohen a legal offer of a legal job change so he can legally vacate a seat he legally won. Then Andrew Hevasi legally won the election of the seat.
Morris illegally paid Harding illegal fees as a thank you for vacation the spot for his boss' son.
I just read the Michael Cohen indictment. Queens Crapo shopuld post is. Some of the sections are amazing reading. The meetings with hevesis aides in the smoky rooms, working out these deals for jobs and money, a convicted pedophile. wow. amazing stuff.
When Cohen resigned he acknowledged he was going to HIP and not lobbying. It was not like he his this fact.
Wasn't it Queens County that claimed they pressured him out for endorsing Pataki?
The Queens Machne first claimed they pushed him out.
After Cuomo reveals Harding spoke to the Machine they say Cohen left on his own? Hmmmm... a missing link.
Mel... stop saying indictment. Now we all see you are doing it on purpose.
Which insurance company did Michael Cohen work as a lobbyist for ?
Does he still work there after he got into his legal troubles ?
Anyone know if the insurance company was named in his indictment ?
Your right it is the same guy. With the indictment and pedophile crap. Same pattern too. Has to be the same person each time. Someone can't be that stupid so many times
Mel? bump>>>>>
There should be another investigation into how Papa Hevesi was able to get his older son Daniel a seat in the Senate back in the 90's. Continue looking into how Andrew Hevesi was conveniently slotted into the Assembly. There is a lot more going on here. The crock that Cohen left the assembly to take care of his wife is just that--- a crock. He's a shifty-eyed politician. Now we have the Queens political machine going to bat for Kozlowitz in her attempt to take back her council seat. Hey, Forest Hills-- WAKE UP!!!!! WE HAVE BEEN TAKEN FOR A RIDE. KICK THEM ALL OUT OF OFFICE!! TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN THIS DISTRICT?? VOTE THEM OUT. ENOUGH ALREADY!!
Another Mel post... bump
We should name the site : Mel's Crap
lol
HAHAHA
Same attackers. But I'd be pissed too if I lived in the 29 Council District
where is there a link to the Michael Gohen indictment ? I would like to read it.
Maybe has a shot to now come in next to last. Maybe?
yes, please post the link to his indictment.
Can't?
not surprised!
i didnt mean Cohen was indicted. i mean a link to whatever paperwork is in it this story. its eveyrinteretsing and i want to share it with friends and neoighbors. we wlawys follow the Hevesis. Its like General Hospital.
The Village Voice has some newspaper stories on the pedophile who is involved in the Michael Cohen scandal. Its disgusting and will make your skin crawl. But worth reading to learn about the "friend" who got him the job as a insurance lobbyist.
there mel goes again with pedophile and lobbyist
behave mel
It says alot when you can't knock someone down without lying
If you can't lie then I guess he can't be that bad!
More lies?(lobbyist and indictment)
Someone here has a serious grudge with Mike and is a one man recking crew.
Same angry guy, very angry
Probably the guy that got fired to make room for Mike
What are the chances Cuomo drags this thing past the election only to see Harding walk away?
Any confidence Cuomo gets a conviction?
who is mel ?
I saw Karen Koslowitz on HBO do this comedy act with all these props and....wait that was Carrot Top
Mel's this kid who thinks he can win a Council Race via YouTube.
Half of the people who actually vote have never used the internet
Mel what ?
I would like to look him up.
I just the Andrew Cuomo interview. He sure seemed pissed. Maybe it wasnt a good idea for Cohen handlers to go off the record with the Daily News and claim he wasnt a target. Prosecutors never like that.
Tommorows front page of the New York Times:
"The complaint says that Mr. Harding helped arrange a $150,000-a-year job for Michael Cohen, then an assemblyman in a Queens district, at the Health Insurance Plan of New York, a company for whom Mr. Harding had been a lobbyist. Mr. Cohen resigned from the Assembly and took the job. Andrew Hevesi won the seat in a special election and still occupies it.
During a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, Mr. Cuomo went out of his way to say that Andrew Hevesi was not implicated in the case, saying, “We don’t believe he had any role.”
But asked whether the former comptroller had knowledge of the plot laid out in the complaint, he said, “This is an ongoing investigation and I have nothing more to say.”
New York Times
N.Y. Liberal Party Figure Is Indicted
DANNY HAKIM
Published: April 15, 2009
The former chairman of New York’s Liberal Party was charged on Wednesday with accepting more than $800,000 that prosecutors say was a reward for doing political favors for the former state comptroller Alan G. Hevesi.
The former chairman, Raymond B. Harding, 74, was also accused of helping to clear an Assembly seat in a Queens district so that Mr. Hevesi’s son, Andrew, could run for it in 2005. Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo said that Mr. Harding, once a close political ally of former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and a power broker in state politics, provided “30 years’ worth” of political favors to the senior Mr. Hevesi, including reliably endorsing his candidacies on the Liberal Party line.
Between 2004 and 2006, Mr. Harding collected a portion of the finder’s fees paid by two investment firms for deals to manage more than $100 million for New York’s $122 billion pension fund, according to the criminal complaint filed by Mr. Cuomo’s office. Aides to Mr. Hevesi had the payments directed to Mr. Harding as a reward for political favors he had done for Mr. Hevesi, the complaint said.
“They were using the fund as a piggy bank to pay people who were doing them political favors,” Mr. Cuomo said on Wednesday, adding, “The brazenness is breathtaking.”
Mr. Harding is the latest figure to be charged in the wide pension corruption investigation by Mr. Cuomo, who is scrutinizing the fees paid to associates of Mr. Hevesi by investment firms seeking business with the pension fund.
Mr. Cuomo’s inquiry appears to be moving closer to Mr. Hevesi himself. A person with direct knowledge of the case said that an individual identified in the complaint as Official B was Mr. Hevesi; the complaint describes Official B as speaking to others in state government and political circles about the Queens Assembly seat and how to make sure it would be vacated so that Andrew Hevesi could run for it.
The complaint says that Mr. Harding helped arrange a $150,000-a-year job for Michael Cohen, then an assemblyman in a Queens district, at the Health Insurance Plan of New York, a company for whom Mr. Harding had been a lobbyist. Mr. Cohen resigned from the Assembly and took the job. Andrew Hevesi won the seat in a special election and still occupies it.
During a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, Mr. Cuomo went out of his way to say that Andrew Hevesi was not implicated in the case, saying, “We don’t believe he had any role.”
But asked whether the former comptroller had knowledge of the plot laid out in the complaint, he said, “This is an ongoing investigation and I have nothing more to say.”
Bradley Simon, the elder Mr. Hevesi’s lawyer, said his client “has not been charged with any misconduct with respect to the management of the New York State pension fund. As he has for the past two years, he vehemently denies any wrongdoing.”
A spokesman for Andrew Hevesi declined to comment.
The complaint against Mr. Harding is rich with echoes of state political dramas of the past. Mr. Cuomo skirmished with Mr. Harding two decades ago for control of the Liberal Party on behalf of his father, Mario M. Cuomo, the governor at the time. But the younger Mr. Cuomo was backed by the Liberal Party and Mr. Harding in his failed bid for governor in 2002. Mr. Cuomo dropped out of the race and the party failed to attract the 50,000 votes necessary for it to remain on the ballot in future elections.
According to the complaint, Mr. Harding sought the more than $800,000 from the investment firms in part to pay the legal bills of his son, Russell Harding, who was an aide to Mayor Giuliani until he was caught up in his own scandal; Russell Harding pleaded guilty in March 2005 to embezzlement and to possessing child pornography.
Raymond Harding pleaded not guilty Wednesday to three felonies under the Martin Act, the state securities statute that gives the attorney general broad powers to pursue financial corruption.
“Ray has had a long and honorable career in both public and private life, and his work as a placement agent on behalf of highly respected firms was entirely honorable and lawful,” said Gary Naftalis, a lawyer for Mr. Harding. “He looks forward to defending himself against these baseless accusations.”
In a 123-count indictment issued last month, two Hevesi aides were accused of selling access to the pension fund. Lawyers for the aides, Hank Morris, who was Mr. Hevesi’s top political consultant, and David Loglisci, the fund’s chief investment officer, have adamantly denied any wrongdoing by their clients.
The investigation focuses on payments made by investment firms to intermediaries who arranged deals with the pension fund. While such payments are legal, they often raise questions about conflicts of interest and would be illegal if used to bribe public officials.
“If it is a scam to pay off politicians or to make campaign contributions and it’s really about buying political access or paying bribes, and it’s a vehicle for bribes, it’s not O.K.,” Mr. Cuomo said.
The inquiry continues to roil Wall Street. An investment firm that manages money for the Hunts, a prominent Texas oil family that owns the Kansas City Chiefs, agreed on Wednesday to pay $150,000 in a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is conducting a parallel investigation.
Details also emerged in S.E.C. court filings on Wednesday about the Quadrangle Group, a private equity firm. A Quadrangle affiliate, GT Brands, paid $88,841 to acquire the DVD distribution rights to “Chooch,” a low-budget movie produced by Mr. Loglisci.
Within three weeks, according to the S.E.C. complaint, Quadrangle won $100 million worth of business with the pension fund. The company has not been charged, and a Quadrangle spokesman declined to comment.
Gee, I don't see anything on indictment or any proof or suggestion of conspiracy for fraud againt Mike Cohen
Cuomo can be pissed all he wants but he has nothing to go after Cohen with to even get an indictment
Missing Link? How about Pataki?
"You endorse me and you get insurance high-paying job". The largest amount of money to Pataki came from insurnace companies.
Hope you are checking that out Anthony.
When will the FBI really step in and do a thorough investigation and house cleaning in New York City and State?
With an inept Governor in office, the previous Governor resigned in scandal, the politics of filling the Senator seat and all of Albany running about scooping funds up for their benefit - it time that the Feds house clean with ajax, amonia and bleach to rid the dirt and stench from Albany.
"Cuomo can be pissed all he wants but he has nothing to go after Cohen with to even get an indictment"
This is the kind of sound advice Michael Cohen is getting on the indictment. Take a shot at the Attorney General. This is what gets DAs and AGs to go after the guy who is attacking them. But instead his handlers are worried about their paychecks.
After reading the newspapers this morning (NY Times, NY Post, Daily News, AP wire across the United States), the ONLY thing that seems to be on Andrews mind is the deal for the Assembly seat.
Doesnt Michael now that running for office in the middle of these indictments is what these guys view as spitting in their face ? I mean any decent criminal lawyer who has done public corruption cases can tell him that.
whats stranger is that Cohen seems to be worried about some guy named Mel as opposed to some guy named Andrew or Dick or eventually some guy named Bubba.
Whenever a guy who is named in an indictment goes to the papers and says on or off the record "I am not a target" the staff in the investigators office flip out. Thats why Andrew was pointing out the Assembly deal yesterday and in all the papers today. Its his ONLY quote. Eveyone knows that. Geez. Michael is a nice fuckin guy. He needs to get some advice on how to lay low and NOT become a target. I could just see that sad face when he ends up in trouble somehow and thinking he never did anything wrong.
And Cohen trusts Cuomo that he is "not the target." And Ray Harding used to be Andrews best friend. How much did that do for him ? This guy is sure naive (or really dumb.)
Pressure on Mike will be to give up what he knows in return for a pass. Both sides will play this game until one or the other blinks, usually it's the one who has the most to lose.Good Luck Mike!
Here's a theory to consider. It probably was no secret to Ray Harding in recent months that he was to be indicted at some point. In the recent Special Election for a City Council seat in a neighboring district Harding, papa and son, playmates the also disgraced Carbonetti's were oddly part of the mix working for Anthony Como's pal, Mike Ricotto. Was somebody testing the waters and warming up anticipating another special to fill Andy's seat? Remember who ran against Andy in the special Harding seems to have orchestrated.
Why would Mike worry if he did nothing wrong?
If he truly is not a target and did nothing wrong then there is nothing wrong in saying it.
He is not insulting Andy Cuomo by running for the seat because he did nothing wrong.
What deal to not run is that moron talking about? Even the indictment against Harding writting by the AG office indicates Cohen had no idea.
People be honest with yourselves.
I'm just a little confused. What role did the Pataki aides play in this and what benefit accrued to them. Please forgive my ignorance on these matters.
All the Pataki aides di was help find Cohen a job. No evidence that got any financial benefit for helping.
It was Pataki's payoff for Cohen's indorsement. Very simple and obvious.
Then how come Cohen didn't approach Pataki then?
Why did Hevesi's aides go to Harding who then went to Pataki Aides who then went back to Harding?
If it was a straight payback then why all the payoffs to Harding when this could have been a trail-less resignation?
People forget that Cohen was targeted by Hevesi people so his son can get the seat.
Cohen didn't approach anyone, let alone Pataki.
If Cohen wanted a job from Pataki he could have gotten much better and quieter.
I wonder how you would act if someone offered you an $80K bump in salary and shorter commute. Would you say no?
I'd leave for a big raise, no questions asked.
Mike why'd you leave the Assembly?
For a giant pay raise?
How dare you leave your job for more money! How un-american!
LMAO
If my friend gets me a better job so his son can get my old job that's illegal?
How on, my friend got me an easy interview so my son can apply for my job is even more illegal?
Huh?
We should get Obama to offer the Bronx Borough President a job so he can let the new county leader get control of the seat.
Wait, that happened?
That's legal?
My bad
Can't anyone run in a special election? Didn't Hevesi have opponents?
Holy shit someone resigned to make more money? Shame shame shame
Yes it was an elaborate scheme by everyone from pataki, hevasi, cohen, morris, katz, and andy to raise funds for Harding's kid.
That was the reason for all of this.
"Very simple and obvious"
I'm voting for Cohen because at least he admits he left his job to make more money (and be close to home for his family)
A former elected official gets a job using connections? No way!
And he got a non-taxpayer funded job on top of it?!? The balls on him!
Mike and Andrew (Hevasi) in 2009 and 2010!
How does Cohen stand on Willets Point?
Does Tony Avella like him?
Michael Cohen has really lost his mind. Read the bizarre postings he has put on. Oh well, now all of his opponenets will dismantle him as the guy who did the deal to get $800,000 to the pedophile.
"If my friend gets me a better job so his son can get my old job that's illegal?
How on, my friend got me an easy interview so my son can apply for my job is even more illegal?"
So Mike wants to run as Ray Hardings "friend." Gee this guy is fuckin stupid.
According to the posts, this is Michael Cohens grand strategy:
1) My wife was terminally ill so i wanted to work in NYC and take care of her.
2)I was approached by Alan Hevesi, who has now been indicted, who approached with a deal. If I left my seat, I would be given a six figure job, starting salary $150,000 a year, in the insurance industry which I was completely unqualified for and had not a single day relevent experience.
3) The deal was arranged by a political partry boss Ray Harding, who is also a lobbysist, and who is also now indicted.
4) Ray Harding stole $800,000 in phony kickbacks relating to fees based on misuse of retirees pention funds.
5) Ray Harding put the deal together to curry favor with the Alan Hevesi because he needed money to pay for his indicted sons legal fees.
6) The son, was indicted for pedopilia. Possession of pictures of little children being raped.
Elect me to the City Council.
Last three posts from the same guy with the bullshit pedophile nonsense.
Who are you to call someone unqualified Mr Anonymous
All this crap from the "pedophile" commentor has to be the same loser
One man bullshit machine's been posting lies
Only Mike Cohen haters would lie and say he did this to free a pedophile, pathetic opportunists
There is nothing in this post that is false. Its all fact. I didnt say he did it in order to free a pedophile. I said thats why ray harding did it. And Mike Cohen was NOT qualified to be an insurance executive. he had IN FACT never worked in the insurance industry.
According to the posts, this is Michael Cohens grand strategy:
1) My wife was terminally ill so i wanted to work in NYC and take care of her.
2)I was approached by Alan Hevesi, who has now been indicted, who approached with a deal. If I left my seat, I would be given a six figure job, starting salary $150,000 a year, in the insurance industry which I was completely unqualified for and had not a single day relevent experience.
3) The deal was arranged by a political partry boss Ray Harding, who is also a lobbysist, and who is also now indicted.
4) Ray Harding stole $800,000 in phony kickbacks relating to fees based on misuse of retirees pention funds.
5) Ray Harding put the deal together to curry favor with the Alan Hevesi because he needed money to pay for his indicted sons legal fees.
6) The son, was indicted for pedopilia. Possession of pictures of little children being raped.
Elect me to the City Council.
and isnt it illegal to trade your endorsement for a job ?
this guy is toast. hopefully the people around him wont destroy this mans life.
maybe he will be able to see through it all.
god be with you.
All bullshit! How was Hardings son in 'Mikes grand plan'?
He never needed a job to endorse Andrew plus he did not endorse anyone. All lies. Where are the facts??
Anything to back this up?
Any proof he knew he was supporting Harding's sons' pedophile case? Even that is way far fetched
This guy has a serious grudge. He is going out of his way to bend facts to make him look bad.
Endorsing someone for any reason is not illegal. An endorsement can never be illegal. An endorsement is a verbal support, how can that be illegal
Morons making up shit
Cohen endorsed Pataki because he was his district supported him over McCall. The district carried Pataki over 60%.
The job was to step down not endorse, who is making up these lies?
All thsat BS was Mikes grand plan???
So anyone who supported Hevesi is no connected to Hardings pedophile son??
So does that mean Kevin Bacon is involved?
Alan Hevesi = Corruption = Hank Morris = Ray Harding = $800,000 = Seniors Ripped Off = Russel Harding = Pedophilia = Job Offer = Mike Cohen
That long ass equation proves that you will go to any stretch to peddle your bullshit
Allan Hevesi = Pedophilia
Why do you push this pedophile shit? Is it that important you stick lies to someone?
Sounds like someone was abused by a politician and is trying to blam ethem all for there strecthed rectal muscle
I'm telling you its the same one dude hooked on claiming pedophilia when none of the papers or indictment mention it.
Just a bullshit spin artist
Because everyone doesnt think its OK to be in bed with these dirtbags who steal money from retired seniors and whack off to sick porno shit.
and everyone doesnt think its ok to do deals with them to get cushy jobs.
so just let it go already. the voters and the press will decide.
Yep the voters will decide!
i just hate when people are accused of pedophilia because the got a nice job in marketing for an insurance company
After the passover holiday I think Mike is going to have to respond
How dare people falsely accuse a grandfather of being a pedophile supporrter!
Only anonymous animals behave like this. Make everyone log in!
nobody accused cohen of any such thing. he is a nice man. he just did a very very shady deal with some very very corrupt and sick men. and for that he will not rewarded by the voters. no matter what kind of moronic advice you anyone gives him.
Taking a job to be with the a dying wife is shady? wow
Anyways, he'll still win because alot of people and community leaders really like him
No one accused him? Read the posts!
Very disgusting posts
Andy boy Hevesi should residn and Mikey Cohen should withdraw from the Council nomination. Both now have reputations in the toilet. GET RID OF ALL THE LIARS, CHEATS, AND PHONYS--- NOW!!!!!
FOREST HILLS __ REMEMBER WHAT THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS DID BEHIND OUR BACKS!!! VOTE THEM OUT.
Alan Hevesi = Corruption = Hank Morris = Ray Harding = $800,000 = Seniors Ripped Off = Russel Harding = Pedophilia = Job Offer = Mike Cohen
The Village Voice has some newspaper stories on the pedophile who is involved in the Michael Cohen scandal. Its disgusting and will make your skin crawl. But worth reading to learn about the "friend" who got him the job as a insurance lobbyist.
Rumours are flying everywhere in Forest Hills on more indictments coming next week. Anyone also heard these ?
There is something going on. There was activity all night last night and rabbis are getting calls. Two people I know were called in and asked some pretty straight and serious questions: were you aware of a deal etc etc. People are very nervous. Its like a cloud over the community.
four or five not for profits also got calls. my cousin works at one. groups that had recieved member items. they were asked if they knew anything about ray harding being hired to represent a local day care center. i told my cousin to hire a lawyer.
non-profits? Now this is all made up, the target is hevesi and the pension fund. This is so far off.
Who is hearing these rumors of indictments next week when the AG confirmed that they may have some more FACTS in May?
My cousin told me to get an attorney???
What??????????
My cousin (I just called he on her cell) said guys came in yesterday and this morning as well (they had Attorney general windbreakers) and asked for files relating to work performed from assembly member items they recieved for a 3 year period. there was also two ladies there from the State (she thinks its Department of Social Servcies)who asked for correspondance relating to work done on State contracts. They also asked for legal invoices. She is a little unlear about this one but she was asked to make copies and she did of all the legal invoices the center had paid for. She doesnt know what it is all about. She is worried she will get fired but its the biggest day care center in Fiorest Hills. The Chairman of the group was in Florida and is flying down so she thinks its real serious.
p.s. she doesnt know for which years the assembly member items were for. the group has aklways gotten them and gets some now.
I was told by my rabbi that out of respect for Yom Tov they didnt visit the after school center earlier. I heard the same story but a lot, lot worse.
Cohen's member items were never for day care centers (Parks, streets, etc)
This seems like total BS. Please name the place so we can confirm.
Lot lot worse? How can it be worse if its the same person posting. I C IP ADDRESS
Cohen never got funds for Daycare. Nothing from the Assemby sine 1992. Got the state assembly site or vistit Albany Fiscal Watchdogs. Who is getting this BS
AG don't come in and ask and come later and ask for more. They raid and take. That part sounds so fake.
They go to a site and take all the records!
I remember Michael Cohen's wife,Sonia,when she was District Leader back in the late 70's. She was a sweet,cordial woman. I'm saddened to learn of her loss in all this minutiae.
Michael Cohen left his beloved post because of her ongoing illness,and apparently she has passed away around the ripe old age of 60.
If Michael Cohen was only in it for a private-sectored payday,then why is he running for public office again...before all this nonsense broke out?
To: Love not War
I can see that you know the real Michael Cohen and what his wife meant to him. It saddens me to see her illness and death thrown around in the press and in this blog like cheap garbage. He made a choice at that time to give up his political career that he loved in order to attend to someone that he loved more. Mike, we're glad that you are coming back.
THROW THEM ALL IN JAIL-----!!!!!!!
Andy Hevesi is a do-nothing fraud. He's invisible. Throw the bum out!
Maybe, just maybe we should LISTEN to what Mike Cohen has to say himself! Any of you ever go to meetings that he did attend? He, HIMSELF, was there to listen to the people. Maybe we can't believe all the crap that is written about people and how quickly we forget the good that he did. What is wrong with a guy wanting to be with his family at a terrible time in life??? Maybe some of you idiots should pay more attention to the true facts!!!!!!!!!
My parents were members of the Quality-Ruskin Tenants' Federation, a group that Michael Cohen organized as a result of an abusive landlord,which he served as VP. Mr Cohen did not receive a penny for all his contributions in this protracted endeavor;I believe Mike & Sonia Cohen serving as District Leaders,as well(another non-paying post);I can still vividly recall my parents(now deceased)praising Michael and Sonia for their representation of local community in their days back at the Queens Continental Democratic Club(I believe on Austin St.)
On to the crux of the splatter-matter: Alan Hevesi had long been a pillar of strength in the district, and his son was the then-obvious heir apparent; Harding was boss of the Libs, a very important position in New York City politics; Melinda Katz, running on the Liberal line, and being highly-endorsed by Alan Hevesi, defeated Democratically-backed Cohen in 1994(not sure about year)...is this now starting to come into focus???
Great,Michael Cohen finally landed a nice job in a non-public capacity at non-taxpayer expense; and why wouldn't HIP want to hire him,after all? I mean,this a private company;have they fired him,as of yet? Their bottom line lies in profitabilty...not political prophet-ability,no?
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