From the Daily News:A federal grand jury is zeroing in on some of Queens' most powerful political figures - including Senate President Malcolm Smith - the Daily News has learned.
Sources said the feds are investigating whether the Queens pols used a web of nonprofit groups to benefit themselves, their families and their friends.
The raft of documents the Manhattan-based panel wants involve:
- The Merrick Academy charter school - a source of campaign funds and patronage for Smith.
- A lavish home built for Rep. Gregory Meeks in Jamaica.
- A four-family house owned by Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.
One subpoena revealed for the first time that prosecutors are looking at the housing and social service empire built by the Rev. Floyd Flake - Meeks' predecessor in Congress and political mentor to Smith and Meeks.
The grand jury also wants records related to a Springfield Gardens commercial building owned by Joan Flowers, a politically active lawyer who has been campaign treasurer for Smith, Meeks and Gov. Paterson.
Flowers was "terminated" Wednesday from her $145,000-a-year Senate job as Smith's counsel. Although Senate officials said Flowers left of her own volition, sources told The News that Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson made it clear to Smith that it was time for Flowers to go.
The investigation is being conducted by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's public corruption office, sources say.
Among the documents being sought are work papers of Robert Gaskin, a Jamaica, Queens-based architect who has done work for several of the pols and many of the nonprofits they have funded.
Gaskin declined to comment.
Might I suggest adding Gary Ackerman and Claire Shulman to the investigations list? This Smith business is small potatoes compared to what those 2 are doing.
18 comments:
Add the Staviskys, mother and son to the list
About time!
Soon there will be no Black political leaders left in New York.
I agree with other commenters that it seems odd that Shulman, Ackerman and the Staviskys are all excluded from the list.
The only suprise is Marshall, maybe the U.S. attorney didn't realize she was born black.
Note to black politicians : They sell creams at Duane Reade that will help you avoid prosecution.
Malcolm Smith always has that stupid grin on his face.
I agree with other commenters that it seems odd that Shulman, Ackerman and the Staviskys are all excluded from the list.
I think the feds are quick to step in when children are involved, and this "case" involves the various schools that the 3 Amigos have set up in SE Queens, possibly for patronage purposes. They probably came across Grandma by accident.
Maybe there's a chance these clowns will go down. At least the decision is up to a grand jury, and not that chief bozo "Attorney General" Eric Holder.
But it won't surprise me if this gang of four gets a slap on the wrist.
Ah, Helen. At least you did your conversion legally, albeit with a questionable architect, but ain't it sad that the chief Queens cheer leader has herself contributed to the overdevelopment of Queens by making a 2 into a 4.
Praying big time that these criminals get what they deserve, however, these four are only the tip of the iceberg. Hope the US Attorney keeps digging and uncovers all the other thieves in government. While I'd add the Stavinskys, don't forget Ackerman and our good friend Claire Shulman. The City Council has a plethora of criminals. Start at the top with the Slush Queen Quinn.
Don't forget Rory Lancman and his non-profits!
You'll never catch me, copper!
yEAA sEEE
Well, Marshall is dumber than me!
It's about time:) 109th is next!!!! WOOHOO!! Fall like dominos!!
Let's not forget Katz.
lock helen Marshall with christine quinn and they can have a dyke fest
lock helen Marshall with christine quinn and they can have a dyke fest
Marshall dresses the way she does not because she's gay, but because she's trying to look trendy, so people don't realize she was born in 1929. Time to put her out to pasture.
Why is it that there will be no black political leaders?
Aren't there any honest black political leaders? If not who cares that there aren't any.
I am all for equal opportunity - go after the rest of them, white and hispanic. Put them in jail and seize their damn homes, cars, business' and anything else of value that they got through the peoples hard work.
go after the scum at the 108th pct.
Post a Comment