Bloomberg Misleads Voters About City's Safety Status Again

Mayor Bloomberg is at it again with his false and misleading advertisements. His promise of creating hundreds of thousands of jobs has already been addressed. Now it is time to go after the "safest city in America" line. Bloomberg loves to claim that he is responsible for NYC's safe record, but the way he goes about it is disingenuous at best. In fact, he was already admonished by the FBI for the tactic four years ago.

Now it's back again:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's re-election campaign claims the FBI ranks New York as the safest large city in America.

That claim is false and Bloomberg knows it.

The FBI doesn't rank cities and specifically states that it's misleading to use its statistics that way.

When Bloomberg made the same claim during his mayoral run in 2005, a complaint from the FBI led his campaign to yank the FBI reference from its political ads, according to an FBI official.

"They modified their ad," the official said. "But now they're doing it again."

Bloomberg is going to do and say anything to be re-elected as Mayor for a third term. That is why he must be checked, and Len Levitt's article in Huffington Post is a great example of taking on the billionaire mayor.

Why Bloomberg can't stick to the facts...well that just goes to show he is another typical politician trying to make himself out to be something he's not. He claims to be something different, but as we've seen with zoning regulations, over-development, term-limit extension and many other issues, he is nothing of the sort.

Finally, Joe Bruno Indicted For Corruption!

After years of meticulously investigating the now-former Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, Joe Bruno has been indicted on eight counts of public corruption. It has been a long time coming for this day, but despite many denials from Mr. Bruno of wrongdoing, his time in court is soon at hand.

From The Times-Union:

ALBANY - A federal grand jury today indicted former state Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno on felony charges alleging he used his position to extract $3.2 million in private consulting fees from clients who sought to purchase his influence.

An 8-count indictment handed up today charges the 79-year-old Republican with corruption charges that carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Bruno pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in U.S. District Court in Albany and released without bail.

Bruno had spending thousands on lawyers in the last month, so he probably knew this was coming. Whether he knows shame from this, I sincerely doubt it. However, it is a great day for those of us that wish to clean up the filth in Albany and across our state. Bruno may have resigned his position last year, but it does not absolve him of the crimes he will be tried for. Further, I hope it serves as a warning to all current and future legislators that there is a price to be paid when you take the trust of the electorate and spit in their faces in the name of tainted influence and greed.

Of course, the possibility of him serving 20 years is probably nil. Forfeiting his assets and spending a few months or years behind bars is a little more likely.

Bruno's Indictments May Finally Be Near

Ex-Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno has already begun his new lobbying career, but his past might just catch up to him anyways. Bruno has been under investigation for approximately three years now and the government's attorneys could be ready to strike. Or at least Bruno's friends think so.

From The NY Daily News:

Pals of former state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno are bracing themselves for his possible indictment - which an ally of the one-time GOP powerhouse said is 80% likely - before the year is out.

"The sense is that they spent all this time turning over every rock and they can't just let it go without doing something," a source close to Bruno said. Federal prosecutors have been investigating the ex-majority leader's outside business interests for three years.

Bruno is "prepared for the worst, but isn't going to let it affect the way he handles himself," the source said.

It could just be idle speculation telegraphed out by Bruno, but I suspect reaching out to Liz on this to smooth things over before an indictment does indeed come to fruition. His friends think the case is weak (naturally) but unless they work for the U.S. Government, they really do not have a clue as to what the Feds know. Bruno thinks he's a slick politician, but even those types can be caught.

One Day After The Primary, Corrupt Queens Assemblyman To Lose His Job

Yesterday's primary election decided the fates of many politicians, but uncontested Queens Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio (D-Ozone Park) had his fate sealed by the FBI. Seminerio was being tracked by the Bureau for being well, another 'bloodsucker' in Albany and they executed warrants this past weekend. While Paterson might not have had Seminerio specificly in mind, the Feds had their silver bullet ready for him. The slayer happened to be an acquaintenace of his that wore a wire, recording some choice conversation.

From The Times-Union:

``I was doing favors for these sons of b---- there, you know, they were, they were making thousands,'' the FBI quoted Seminerio telling a cooperating witness on tape. ``Screw you, from now on, you know, I'm a consultant.''

Seminerio turned himself into authorities in Manhattan this morning after the execution of search warrants in New York City and the Capital Region over the weekend.

The federal complaint from the FBI showed the probe also involved an undercover agent, hospital administrators who paid Seminerio to represent their interests in Albany and a lot of salty language by the crusty Seminerio, a former New York City correction officer.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Michael Garcia said the case focuses on Seminerio's creation of Marc Consultants, which received more than $500,000 in fees from parties with business before the state. Seminerio hid the business, even though state lawmakers must disclose income of more than $1,000, according to the corruption probe.

We may not have been able to take the down the ultimate prize (named Shelly Silver) but rooting out a corrupt politician is always a good thing. Now we just need to keep working to cut the figurative head off down the line so we can create a different culture in Albany, one that serves the people and not the politicians.

Bruno Tried To 'Deal' With FBI, FBI Seizes Documents Instead

Apparently stepping down from office isn't good enough for the FBI and their case against Joe Bruno. While the investigation was not the reason he is leaving Albany, he still had his lawyer plead with the Federal Bureau of Investigations to make the case go away. Bruno may think that everyone is susceptible to a deal in Albany, but not when it comes to his situation and the FBI.

From The Gothamist:

While State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno has denied his surprising decision not to seek re-election had anything to do with the FBI's investigation into his finances, the FBI hauled away a "massive volume" of Bruno's records, dating back to 1995. The Post says the FBI seized the documents hours before Bruno's Monday afternoon announcement.

In 2006, Bruno announced that he was under investigation, for various deals involving land, racehorses, and labor unions. Interestingly, the Daily News reports that Bruno's lawyer contacted the FBI to see if his stepping-down "would help end" the FBI probe. But the FBI did not make a deal. And the Times Union says the documents were requested months ago, but the Senate "delayed responding to the request."

Even with this week's events, I still do not believe that the FBI's investigation has anything to do with his decision to not run for re-election. Trying to snatch a deal from the FBI is merely a bonus while the main issue is that the Senate is poised to switch to the Democrats in the Senate, ending the lucrative practices Bruno has been involved with for years, incidentally the reason why the FBI has been on his case. The thing is, Bruno is a smart guy and has alluded authorities for nearly three years. Making the authorities' spotlight go away would be nice, but the real deal is the loss of power, and in Albany, that is all that matters.

Ex- NY GOP Chairman Tied To Sweeney Investigation

William Powers office on 90 State St in Albany was the center of attention yesterday for FBI agents investigating ex-Congressman John Sweeney's connection with the former NY GOP Chairman and now-lobbyist. Powers and Sweeney have been buddies for a long time and now that Sweeney has been found to be a(n alleged) crook, it seems that the spoils of Republican leadership prior to 2006 was beneficial to Powers. At least a judge thought it was worthy enough to look at and see if information in Powers' office could help their case against Sweeney.

From The Times-Union:

ALBANY -- A federal criminal investigation is focusing on the relationship of lobbyist William D. Powers and former U.S. Rep. John E. Sweeney in connection with a series of federal grants that were steered to Powers' clients, according to several people familiar with the probe.

The probe is being overseen by the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C.

Several people familiar with the case said it is centered on a period when Powers' clients received the earmarks while Sweeney's then-wife, Gayle, was working for Powers' Albany-based lobbying firm.

Armed with a search warrant, federal attorneys and FBI agents from Albany and Washington appeared at Powers & Co.'s 90 State St. office building on Friday. They confiscated files and interviewed employees who were encouraged to remain in the office during the search. It's not clear whether Powers was present.

Powers may or may not be involved with all of this, but there are interesting coincidences all around. Sweeney's wife at the time worked at Powers' firm until Sweeney lost his re-election bid. Now why would she suddenly lose her job (or resign, whatever) in such fashion? And does their subsequent divorce have anything to do with that? We'll have to see what the investigators find from Powers and if it comes out when Sweeney has his day in court.

FBI Is Still After Bruno

I've heard here and there that the FBI probe into State Senate Leader Joseph Bruno was going nowhere, a dead end that was only used by NY Democrats to put a negative light on him. Of course most of those voices came from Bruno's camp and this was shown to be true after the FBI issued new subpoenas last week for Bruno and his business associates. It is too bad it took a newspaper publication to kick the FBI back into gear, but at least the information spurred something good.

From The New York Times:

The subpoenas, which were issued last week and seek records related to Wright and Mr. Bruno, were reported Sunday in The Times Union of Albany. It is the first indication in several months that the roughly two-year-old federal investigation into Mr. Bruno’s outside business interests remains active.

It is not clear how many of the union locals have been subpoenaed.

Mike Roberts, who recently became head of an Albany-area branch of Unite Here, a union of hotel and restaurant workers, said his local had been subpoenaed. “We’re just obviously perusing the documents and cooperating,” he said.

The Times Union reported that James E. Long, a lawyer for Laborers’ Local 190 in Albany, said the local had been subpoenaed Wednesday. Another lawyer in Mr. Long’s office said on Sunday that Mr. Long would not comment further.

John McArdle, a spokesman for Mr. Bruno, said: “We’ve cooperated with the inquiry. He’s not been accused of anything, and I think that’s all we’re saying.”

Gee thanks John, thanks for sharing with us what your official spin line is. If you'd like to answer why Bruno is at the center of an FBI investigation, then by all means tell us something new. Whether you want to admit it or not, it is certainly peculiar that unions that did more business with Wright Investors Service' due to Bruno being there. The FBI had Bruno's home business to investigate and now there's just a little bit more.

Forget FISA "Security," It Really Is All About The Money

Remember how the Democrats were accused of being weak on national security for objecting to the new FISA laws Bush wanted for limitless spying? He told us it was absolutely necessary for him to have his way to wiretap anyone he pleases, because you know we all could be terrorists.

Well as Chris Dodd fights against retroactive immunity for the telecommunications industry that acted as co-conspirators in Bush's illegal wiretapping, the telecoms have done something that comes from far left field. It turns out they are shutting off some of the FBI's wiretaps. Now why would they do something to endanger America and embolden the terrorists?

From The Boston Globe:

WASHINGTON—Telephone companies have cut off FBI wiretaps used to eavesdrop on suspected criminals because of the bureau's repeated failures to pay phone bills on time.

A Justice Department audit released Thursday blamed the lost connections on the FBI's lax oversight of money used in undercover investigations. Poor supervision of the program also allowed one agent to steal $25,000, the audit said.

In at least one case, a wiretap used in a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act investigation "was halted due to untimely payment," the audit found. FISA wiretaps are used in the government's most sensitive and secretive criminal investigations, and allow eavesdropping on suspected terrorists or spies.

So potentially useful evidence has stopped being recorded because the FBI can't pay their AT&T or Verizon bill? The phone companies (save for Qwest) were best buds with the Bush Administration when they thought they'd be making bank by allowing the government to wiretap everybody. Now that they realize the FBI is too incompetent to pay their bills, the new policy is f**k em.

Such is Corporate America in 2008, there isn't even a false sense of patriotism left at these companies.

Will There Be An Alaska Left When The FBI Is Done?

Alaskans may not have to pay an income tax to their state government, but there's an implicit arrangement that the constituents have little or no say in comparison to the oil interests that indirectly pays their royalty check every year. The tale of corruption in the giant state to the north is seemingly consuming every politician from Juneau to Nome. The stories uncovered by the FBI is quite a sight to see.

From The Washington Post:

ANCHORAGE -- When the FBI came looking for corruption in Alaska politics, it found an excellent perch in Suite 604 of the Baranof Hotel in Juneau, the state capital. There, a profane septuagenarian named Bill Allen did business throughout a 2006 special session called to set taxes on the oil industry. With hundred-dollar bills in his front pocket for ease of access when lawmakers turned up with their hands out, the oil-services company executive turned in a bravura performance before the pinhole camera that federal agents installed opposite his favorite chair.

"Let me count first here," Allen said, shushing a former statehouse speaker as he counted out a bribe in video footage entered as evidence in the lawmaker's September trial, one of several crowding the docket of the federal court here.

On another tape, Pete Kott, the former Republican speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, crowed as he described beating back a tax bill opposed by oil companies. "I had to cheat, steal, beg, borrow and lie," Kott said. "Exxon's happy. BP's happy. I'll sell my soul to the devil."

"Well, that will stay in this room," one lobbyist said as a midnight session wound down.

Since this is a quote from the WaPo via the FBI, it most certainly did not stay in the room. Alaskans always knew that the government was corrupt, but never to the degree that was uncovered. It paints an ugly image of politics (even for politics) in sub-Arctic state that begs the question, can it be reformed?

Changing the governor's office was a good start last year, but that is only a drop in the bucket for Alaska. Getting rid of the Stevens family among others is vital, but more importantly, the oil industry needs to be corralled, up there, across the country and around the world.

FBI Goes Independent In Iraq

When yesterday's news hit that the FBI would be investigating Blackwater's activities while being guarded by the enterprise under scrutiny many people got suspicious. Thankfully the FBI understood the obvious problem and get this, they fixed it. It is amazing that something can work in any department under the Federal government but alas, it can actually happen.

From RawStory:

"The FBI team deployed from Washington to assist the State Department in the investigation of the events of Sept. 16 will have any additional security needs provided by U.S. government personnel," Miller added.

"The plan had been for Blackwater to fill this role," an official briefed on the FBI mission told the News.

Yesterday, a senior official said, "What happens when the FBI team decides to go visit the crime scene? Blackwater is going to have to take them there."

Senate Judiciary Chairman Pat Leahy (D-VT) also wrote the bureau a letter deriding their decision to have Blackwater guard their own investigation. Dropping the firm, he said, "would help alleviate the appearance of a conflict of interest and hopefully contribute to the credibility of this investigation in the eyes of the Iraqi people."

With a little prodding from the Congress and using common sense, we can have accountability in our government. It may be hard to do at first since there has been zero accountability in recent years, but we can still reach for ideal situations to counter the ridiculous and criminal behavior that has been fostered under the Bush Administration.

FBI Raids Sen. Stevens Home, Not Looking So Good For Him

The good ole' boy Senator Stevens from Alaska is in a lot of hot water. Alaska has been trying to clean up the corruption that exists in their state, along with the help of the FBI and the IRS. Politicians have been in bed with people they have no business being with, while ignoring their constituents and the law. Well things are going to catch up with Ted Stevens soon, especially since the authorities raided his home yesterday.

From The Huffington Post:

Stevens, 83, has been under a federal investigation for a 2000 renovation project more than doubling the size of his home in Girdwood that was overseen by Bill Allen, a contractor who has pleaded guilty to bribing Alaska state legislators.

Allen is founder of VECO Corp., an Alaska-based oil field services and engineering company that has reaped tens of millions of dollars in federal contracts.

Agents from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service started their search at the senator's home Monday afternoon, said Dave Heller, FBI assistant special agent. He said he could not comment on the nature of the investigation.

Stevens isn't commenting either. He wouldn't want to jeopardize himself further, especially if and when the Feds press charges against him and he has to face a judge and jury. Of course he isn't the only one, his son is under investigation and so is Congressman Don Young (R-Of course) for their crooked ways. It isn't right that they use their office for personal gain. The people trust them to serve their constituencies.....not themselves and their friends in the oil industry.

The FBI, Another Law-Breaking Branch Of Our Gov't

Corruption is a disease that plagues Washington, D.C. As Bush gets away with more and more crimes, it isn't surprising to see scandals at the GSA and the Justice Department. Here we have the FBI and their breaches of privacy over a thousands times without warrants. Countdown has the scoop.

509,000 Terrorists To Watch Out For

Watching suspected terrorists is a hard job for the FBI these days. It is especially difficult when you have over 509,000 names to keep track of. The Interagency National Counterterrorism Center has a combined total that is even higher than the FBI when you add in the other groups that look out for bad guys. So how do they keep track of a segment of society roughly equal to the size of a medium American city? And why do some talk numbers while others are silent?

From The Blotter:

While the NCTC has made no secret of its terrorist tally, the FBI has consistently declined to tell the public how many names are on its list. Because the number is classified, an FBI spokesman told the Blotter on ABCNews.com, he was unable to comment for this story.

"It grows seemingly without control or limitation," said ACLU senior legislative counsel Tim Sparapani of the terrorism watch list. Sparapani called the 509,000 figure "stunning."

"If we have 509,000 names on that list, the watch list is virtually useless," he told ABC News. "You'll be capturing innocent individuals with no connection to crime or terror."

Now to be fair to the FBI, a few of those names are aliases of actual terrorists, both dead and alove. Even Saddam Hussein is up there post-mortem. Nevertheless, what is the point of having all of those people being watched? There is no way that the government can keep track of all those people with any kind of effective policy that stops one of them in the act.

And not only terrorists made the list, even American legislators have been stopped before for being on the list. Speaking of elected officials, I want to know why George Bush isn't the most dangerous domestic terrorists on that list. He has created more terror all over the world than Nixon and Kissinger could ever dreamed of. It is time to start updating that list, taking most names off and just a few back on.

The Case Against Joe Bruno

A Federal Grand Jury has been reviewing the evidence against Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno for quite some time now. This weekend information was leaked out that prosecutors have determined that they could charge Bruno with depriving the public of the "honest services" of its government. Or to put it succinctly, for being a corrupt bastard.

The Times Union has the goods:

The investigation appears to focus on horse racing, an industry Bruno has staunchly supported and in which he has a deep personal interest. It comes at a time when New York's storied racing industry has been mired in allegations of mismanagement by its longtime operator, the New York Racing Association.

NYRA's contract to run the state's three thoroughbred tracks expires at the end of the year and is imperiled by a heated takeover bid from several competing racing consortiums, including some whose investors have strong ties to Bruno and other elected officials.

In addition, the federal subpoenas have targeted records from the senator's private consulting business; a series of state grants awarded to a Troy nanotechnology company that is financially backed by Bruno's close friend; and people involved with the senator's private horse breeding efforts.

Corruption is a rampant disease in New York's state government. Cleaning up this particular mess depends on Glenn Suddaby, the U.S. Attorney for the northern district of New York. As a Bush appointee that hasn't been fired yet, I'm wary that he will make the ultimate decision of charging Bruno, especially since the grand jury has had the information for so long and Bruno's confidence seems to be more than putting up a facade.

Republican Are Keeping The FBI Busy

The Federal Bureau of Investigations are meant to investigate dangerous criminals in the United States. Well they certainly have a treasure trove of them in the Republican caucus. Earlier this week they raided the businesses of John Doolittle for his connections with Jack Abramoff. After a quick rest the FBI went one state over to raid Rick Renzi's business (link to subscription-only Roll Call). Technically it was under his wife's name, but when it comes to the corrupt practices of sneaky Republicans it isn't hard to connect the dots.

From Roll Call via ThinkProgress:

Little is known about the inquiries into Renzi’s activities, but according to media reports the Justice Department has been running a two-track investigation into Renzi regarding a land deal, as well as a piece of legislation he helped steer that may have improperly benefited a major campaign contributor. It was not immediately clear which investigation the raid pertained to, and neither his attorney nor his spokesman could be immediately reached for comment.

As a result of the raid, Renzi is stepping down from his seat on the House Intelligence Committee, according to a statement from his office obtained Thursday evening by Roll Call.

“Today, the FBI came to my family’s business to obtain documents related to their investigation,” Renzi said. “I view these actions as the first step in bringing out the truth. Until this matter is resolved, I will take a leave of absence from the House Intelligence Committee. I intend to fully cooperate with this investigation.”

I am glad to hear he is mentioning the 'truth.' Stepping down from his committee is a good first step in taking responsibility for his unethical actions as a public servant. The truth is that he has only been serving his own interests up in Arizona's 1st Congressional district. Of course saying he will fully cooperate with the investigation and actually doing it are two totally separate things. If he truly wants to get squared up he should tell investigators about his illegalities (alleged of course), resign from office and take the punishment that is most fitting for his particular crimes, kinda like Duke Cunningham.

FBI Raids Another Abramoff-Connected Congressman

Prosecutors who are recommending a reduced sentence for the corrupt con Jack Abramoff seem to be justified in their actions since Jack is providing so much 'fruit' for them. The latest crooked politician that is shaking in his boots is John Doolittle. He barely won his strong Republican district last year amidst allegations of criminal behavior. Although the voters didn't show him the door, the Feds might just do it for them.

From RawStory:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has reportedly raided the home of Republican congressmember John Doolittle (R-CA), according to The Hill.

"The FBI searched the Virginia home of [Doolittle] last Friday," write Mike Soraghan and Susan Crabtree, "in its investigation into the ties of the congressman and his wife, Julie, to disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, according to law enforcement and other Congressional and K Street sources."

So what does a Republican such as John do when faced with severe legal troubles? Like any other, blame it on someone else. Amazingly he put the blame on his wife since the FBI raided her office as well, conveniently leaving out the fact that he was thoroughly searched as well. He said he supports his wife 100 percent, so at least he isn't completely abandoning her. She might have been in on the schemes, but it is because of him that this is all taking place.

Regardless of what happens to Julie Doolittle, the facts are clear when it comes to the Congressman. He took in tens of thousands in contributions and all sorts of goodies in exchange for political payoffs. Now that Abramoff is in jail and singing as loud as he can, it is only a matter of time before Doolittle will have to stand before judge and jury.

FBI Lost Another 320 Laptops/Weapons

I am really getting sick of hearing about the rampant corruption and incompetence in our government run by the Bush Administration. There have been countless stories of terrible mismanagement and here we have yet another inside the governmental bureaucracy of the FBI.

In August of 2002 a Department of Justice report found hundreds of laptops and weapons either lost or stolen over the course of the prior 28 months. Well in the last three years and eight months they lost an additional 160 laptops and 160 weapons. Some of those laptops had confidential information including details of FBI personnel in counter-terrorism and other divisions.

From Reuters:

The 160 missing weapons and 160 laptops disappeared during the 44 months that ended on September 30, 2005. At least 10 laptops contained sensitive or classified information, including one with personal identifying information on FBI personnel.

The FBI could not determine whether an additional 50 missing laptops contained sensitive or classified information. Seven of those were assigned to the counter-intelligence or counter-terrorism divisions, which handle sensitive national security information.

The gross mismanagement and utter carelessness of important documentation must end. It is bad enough that the 2002 report disclosed the loss of several hundred laptops and weapons, the fact that this is still occurring is maddening. Despite the DoJ setting up a system to facilitate the whereabouts of such items, reports were turned in late.

The FBI did an assessment in the case of only a few of the missing laptops to determine the possible damage to its operations and national security, the report said.

It found the bureau did not adequately document its disposal of excess laptops and hard drives to ensure that sensitive or classified information had been erased. The report also found that the FBI failed to consistently ensure departing employees returned weapons and laptops.

Now there is no way to ascertain what information was on those hard drives. The article reports that 10 of the 160 laptops had classified data on them, though there could be an additional 51 systems with sensitive information. The FBI claims 43 of those did not have classified information, but who can really know for sure as their accounting procedures are obviously in the gutter.