The People Speak: Bruno Trial Jurors' Opinions
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 <a href="http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=880165" target="”_blank”">an
Albany <i>Times-Union</i> article,</a> the comments of jurors in the <a href="http://www.cityethics.org/node/622" target="”_blank”">trial of former NY
senate majority leader Joseph Bruno</a> for misuse of office and failure to disclose.<br>
<br>
Here are a few of the jurors' comments:<br>
<br>
"What
I saw was absolutely pathetic. There's not disclosure there; it's
concealment and deception. I never saw anything like it."<br>
<br>
"To think this is how government people conduct their lives. I was
extremely disappointed that they did not convict him on more charges."<br>
<br>
"It was really frustrating, upsetting. I would never
consider using my work staff to do my non-core business things."<br>
<br>
"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. <br>
<br>
"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."<br>
<br>
[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."<br>
<br>
"Somebody needs to be watching." <br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
<br>
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