If It Walks Like A Duck, Talks Like A Duck....

Well then it probably is a duck.

The same approach can be used for Sheldon Silver's actions as Assembly Speaker when he tried to influence the State Controller (and criminal) Alan Hevesi. He went to the Controller on behalf of former hockey legend Mike Richter in order to get him connected with the pension fund. Although the deal never happened, that doesn't excuse his behavior.

From The NY Daily News:

Silver twice arranged sitdowns with the controller, who has sole control over pension investments, the Daily News has learned.

One of the most powerful men in Albany, Silver a few years ago accompanied investor Shlomo Kalish of Jerusalem Global Ventures to meet with then-Controller Alan Hevesi to discuss a possible deal.

More recently, Silver and Richter met with Controller Thomas DiNapoli. Richter, the hero of the 1994 Stanley Cup team, is a partner with Environmental Capital Partners.

The pension fund ultimately took a pass on both deals.

But the involvement of Silver - whose spokesman Dan Weiller confirmed the meetings - has raised serious questions among government watchdog groups.

More serious questions for the Speaker that go on top of the pile of questions he refuses to answer. The big problem here is that the way he uses his influence isn't even illegal here in New York. A more transparent state government might want to do something about this, but not in the Albany that good government groups fight against on a daily basis. While Hevesi may be in hot water (along with Joe Bruno) much of the corruption that goes on in our capitol is given a pass, or at least a wink and a nod. And with Shelly Silver at the wheel, don't expect things to change anytime soon.

DiNapoli: Another Hevesi?

As the new controller for the state of New York, Tom DiNapoli has a lot to learn and in a short amount of time. The writing is on the wall about Tom and people have begun to take potshots.

This from the Daily News Op-Ed:

Intercepted mail: Dear Mr. Tom DiNapoli! Greeting please! As barrister to widow of late vice president of Nigeria, I have honour to seek confidential U.S. agent for take custody of $50 trillion in gold! Kindly provide bank account number so as to proceed with ...

Tom, this came to us while you were off attending the How To Be A Controller 101 class down at the Sheldon Silver Academy For Loyal Lads. We forward it with advice: This is the type of investment opportunity you should avoid as sole trustee of New York State's $145 billion pension fund.

Also, forget that gypsy lady who says she found $1,000 on the street. And please note that Beanie Babies and Pez dispensers are no longer blue-chips in the collectibles marketplace.

Damn! What will he do with the horde of Beanie Babies up in Albany? Seriously though, this guy has no experience and was picked despite that because of his buddies in the legislature. So what will he do with New York's $145 billion dollar pension plan? All I have to say is that hopefully he won't be another Hevesi, who is a convicted thief in case you didn't know.