From the NY Post:
Claiming she spent a marathon 12 consecutive days in Albany on “legislative business,” Queens Assemblywoman Vivian Cook pocketed $171 for each reported overnight stay — a total $2,197 in taxpayer money from March 21 to April 1, 2010.
The Legislature was in session just three of those days — and Cook was absent for all three, records show.
“Me? You’re kidding! No! I didn’t do that,” she told The Post.
“I don’t lie, I don’t cheat, and I don’t steal,” said Cook, whose nonprofit Rockaway Boulevard Local Development Corp. prompted an investigation for allegedly misusing taxpayer funds.
In 2010 and 2011, Cook collected a total $17,035 in daily and overnight stipends, plus other travel expenses — on top of her $79,500-a-year state salary. During the 2010 legislative session, she missed 51 meetings of the Assembly, 63 percent of the sessions.
“I was sick for a very long time,” she said of her absences, but could not recall the dates.
She’s one of scores of legislators who claim more than $10,000 a year in “per diems” — a daily payment lawmakers can collect if they sleep over in Albany or travel more than 50 miles from home on legislative business.
The sleepovers add up. The Assembly and the Senate have socked taxpayers with more than $32 million in travel-related expenses in the past decade.
In one case, Queens Assemblyman Bill Scarborough submitted vouchers claiming $825 for spending five nights in a row in Albany: Sunday, March 13 to Thursday, March 17, 2011.
That Thursday, he attended a town meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. at York College in Jamaica, Queens, according to news accounts. Jamaica is three hours from Albany by car.
“I may very well have gone to that meeting, turned around and gone back to Albany that night,” Scarborough said. “If we arrive in Albany before midnight, we’re entitled to put in for the night.”
Scarborough, chairman of the Assembly’s Small Business Committee, said he attended meetings before going home again on Friday.
He was not required to submit any hotel receipts, and told The Post it was too long ago to look for one.
“I don’t think I have to give you proof,” he said.
In 2010 and 2011, Scarborough racked up $59,085 in per diem payments, plus other travel expenses.
11 comments:
All thugs...
She most definitely is a liar, cheat and thief. She is also a very mean spirited, vengeful person who should not be in prison and not public office.
What a rogues gallery!
Of course this is the group of people who don't bother to work.
I think we heard in ghettospeak: "It's on an honor system, so it's ok if I cheat. I'm entitled."
OK, I'm now closing my eyes, because I'm not supposed to notice bad things about the diverse and vibrant!
Paging Eric Holder......AG Eric Holder........
Why bother!
One of a few reasons why Jamaica is the way it is: William Scarborough, Vivian Cook now get added to the growing list of Jamaica politicians (Councilman Ruben Wills, Congressman Gregory Meeks and Senator Shirley Huntley) involved in some kind of fraud/corruption. That is 5 in the Jamaica Rogue Gallery. Is it any wonder Jamaica is the way it is.
They should not be getting cash payments unless they submit valid expenses from hotel receipts etc. Not just lying and saying "Oh yeah I was in Albany (but didn't bother to go to the session)" If you don't attend the "job" of the legislative session then you don't get paid- it's like not showing up for work. Maybe if they cut that witch's pay by 63% (her absenteeism rate) She would stop being a freeloader
How much time did Lanceman and Meng miss spending in Albany while campaigning for the congressional primary held in june? did they collect a paycheck while absent?
it's a case of "by any means possible". when black folk rip off the system they feel they are getting their own back for slavery. and anything they take is their promised but never delivered 40 acres and a mule. Lincoln, a white man, was assassinated before he could fulfill this promise after emancipating the slaves.
everyone accused is black.
We should FINE them for SHOWING up. This way we'll save money by lowering spending and taxes.
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