This scandal, involving obtaining Wilson-Pakula entry into the Republican Mayoral Selection Process, has already reached a GOP County Leader, a GOP City Councilman, a New York State Senator mentioned as a possible GOP candidate for mayor, a top GOP consultant to another GOP mayoral candidate and others --- all of whom already have been charged in federal complaints
How far will this probe go?
So far it hasn't reached the top members of the Brooklyn GOP, the story is just breaking, but given the nature of the corruption being investigated and those already directly charged with criminal activity, it is difficult to see how certain members of the Brooklyn GOP establishment would not have some material involvement in this exploding scandal.
Follow for "UPDATES" to this post
Colin has the complaint. It looks very incident specific: http://politicker.com/2013/04/malcolm-smith-dan-halloran-arrested-in-alleged-bribery-scheme/
ReplyDeleteThank you for that.
DeleteHowever, please note that those are the specific charges now being brought against six specific defendants. If there are any new people caught in the dragnet later, they will have charges specifically alleging the acts of corruption attributed to them. In addition, there is the possibility of categories such as “un-indicted co-conspirator(s)” and "others unknown" finding their way into the charges somewhere along the line.
UPDATE of a sort:
ReplyDeleteDo you have any doubt who “County Chairman #1” might be ? If you bother to read the indictment paragraph by paragraph, that doubt would probably disappear; provided, you’ve been following which GOP leaders have endorsed this that or the other mayoral candidates. That’s the opinion of at least one member of Brooklyn GOP Executive Committee, who says that they read the indictment completely — twice before noon.
In addition, at least one pair of political reporters have zeroed in on whom they think “County Chairman #1” might be (See “GOP scandal engulfs powerful politicos” by Chris Bragg & Andrew J. Hawkins, 4-2-13, Crain’s New York Business/ Crain’s Insider [http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20130402/BLOGS04/130409973]).
Here’s their take on it: “....On Nov. 13, Brooklyn Republican chairman Craig Eaton and Mr. Savino both said in press statements that they were backing former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion. *** Three days later, on Nov. 16, Mr. Smith met with the cooperating witness and undercover agent at a hotel room in White Plains, where Mr. Smith asked the witness to try and flip the vote of "County Chairman #1," according to the complaint. On the same day, the cooperating witness and the undercover FBI agent met with Mr. Halloran at a Queens restaurant, and Mr. Halloran agreed to ask "County Chairman #1" and Mr. Savino what they would "want in their exchange for their support for a mayoral candidate. “Mr. Eaton did not return a request for comment....”
So far the "Official" Brooklyn GOP media operation has been quiet as church mice about the whole thing. Although Gene Berardelli’s Thursday, March 28, 2013 quote is very appropriate for this Republican scandal, “Shocking, right?”
Frankly, I’m surprised that Mr. Berardelli didn't seize this opportunity to post a feature on the “Brooklyn GOP Radio -Official- Show Blog” with a big headline: “We’re Number One !”
Has anybody noticed there is a co-operating witness?
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteYour point ?
UPDATE – BACKFILL – BACKDATE ?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Celeste Katz, this is all that Craig Eaton has had to say about yesterday’s arrest and federal charges against Malcolm Smith, Dan Halloran, Jay Savino, Vincent Tabone and others: "From early September, I endorsed Adolfo Carrion for mayor based upon my firm belief that the Republican Party needed to be more inclusive, and we needed to reach out to Hispanics, men and women of color, young adults and others to strengthen and expand the Republican base. It is disturbing, what I've read in the papers today, and I was not aware of any investigation and have not been contacted by any authorities concerning this matter." (“NYC GOP Chairs: We Knew Nothing Of Alleged Malcolm Smith Primary Bribe Conspiracy” by Celeste Katz, 4/2/13, Daily News/Daily Politics Blog [http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2013/04/nyc-gop-chairs-we-knew-nothing-of-alleged-malcolm-smith-primary-bribe-conspira]
I’ve looked at this reported quote by Craig Eaton on-and-off for about twelve hours, give-or-take. It just seems so wrong in so many ways.
> “From early September, I endorsed Adolfo Carrion for mayor...” ?
> “.... It is disturbing, what I've read in the papers today....” ?
> “I was not aware of any investigation and have not been contacted by any authorities concerning this matter."
I put it to anybody who cares about this stuff, the first item is not backed up by the record; the second is probably an overly crafted understatement; and the third is undoubtedly a disturbing wake-up call for Mr. Eaton, or as he is probably referred to in some official documents "County Chairman #1".
UPDATE: Statement by Brooklyn Young Republican Club President Glenn Nocera, On The Arrest Of State Senator Malcolm Smith and City Councilman Dan Halloran.
ReplyDelete“I was very disturbed to learn of today’s charges by US Attorney Preet Bahrarah against Senator Malcolm Smith, Councilman Dan Halloran and several other public officials. The charges alleged in the criminal complaint are serious and appalling. If proven true in a court of law, these officials should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Violation of the public trust has no place in our society. However, I will withhold judgment until the charges are proven true in a court of law.”
Glenn Nocera, President
Brooklyn Young Republican Club
Going Strong Since 1880.
Mr. Massey, you are implying things which are not fact and are crossing the line here. If in fact Eaton is CC # 1, then it proves he is innocent and did nothing wrong. If in fact he endorsed Caron early, then what is the problem with that? Caron came into the race before Catsmitas and Lota and there were no credable candidates in the race at that time. You should not be making statements that are not true. If you want people to read your blog, you should be factual. It appears clearly that you have a vendetta against Eaton and Golden.....and always right about them..almost daily....and almost always with rumor and speculaiton. Why not just write about politics and not always about the same indivivuals. That would make this a beeter blog.
ReplyDeleteREPLY to: "Anonymous... Mr. Massey, you are implying..."
DeleteAs far as I'm concerned, Eaton and Golden are the two of the biggest problems in/for/of the Brooklyn GOP; that's no secret. They have been behind a general pogrom and narrowly targeted organized vendettas inside the Brooklyn GOP for years (those terms are used because of the ethnic groups inside the GOP who have had to bear the brunt of those thumpings). I write on behalf of myself and an group of Republicans who want to carve out our own place inside the Brooklyn GOP that is independent of any control or even influence by Eaton and Golden, and their toadies. Thus, negative material about Eaton and/or Golden would clearly be a big source of grist for this mill on an average day. These are not average days by a long shot....
THIS FEDERAL CORRUPTION PROBE, WITH THE ACTIVE PROSECUTION OF KEY REPUBLICANS, IS CITY-WIDE -- EVEN NATIONAL -- NEWS. EATON IS ALREADY PART OF THAT NARRATIVE -- HIS "NAME" HAS BEEN CONNECTED TO THE EVENTS BY MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZED MAINSTREAM PRESS -- AND SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT HE HAS BEEN MENTIONED BY DESCRIPTION IN THE FEDERAL COMPLAINT....
Let me focus on this part of your comment, for a moment: "If in fact Eaton is CC # 1, then it proves he is innocent and did nothing wrong. If in fact he endorsed Caron early, then what is the problem with that?"
The first part of what you say is simply a formal logical fallacy. If "Eaton is CC# 1" than that is a mere tautology, which by itself establishes nothing other than an identity --- it proves neither guilt nor innocence --- it doesn't even prove involvement other than as part of someone else's conversation(s). As to Eaton's "endorsement" of Carrion, both the press and the federal complaint have posited that Eaton's Carrion "endorsement" occurred in or around November 13-15, 2012. (If you can state or establish any other date of Eaton's "endorsement" of Adolfo Carrion, as a matter of record, I will be glad to let everybody know that.) The stories on or about November 13-15th did indicate that Eaton had been having conversations or communications with Carrion for a few months -- a prior "endorsement" I don't think so.
Why isn't Bloomberg indicted for buying the Republican and Independence lines for the last three mayoral elections?
ReplyDeleteGalewyn
ReplyDeleteI love the way you write and you are very spunky. To beat up on people all the time to me is a issue you have to learn to deal with, but I know it is your frustration and it is all good to me
I don't believe Eaton would ever except money and you stated Eaton and Golden are the problem. Maybe you are right or maybe you are wrong.
In the end does it really matter.
What matters is if we never learn to operate as ONE the party of Lincoln here in Brooklyn will be just thoughts in the future tomorrows.
These blogs are good for it gives people an outlet to rid their minds of negative thoughts and sometimes if your smart you will see the positive side.
The secret is to forgive and forget. Hope to see you at Smith St
REPLY TO: "Anonymous... Galewyn... "
DeleteWhether somebody "...would ever except money ..." is only one form of corruption.
I don't "... beat up on people all the time..." or even part of the time. I doubt that you can name a single victim of any beating at my hands or by my words.
"[L]earning to operate as one party," whether Lincoln's or Stalin's, or Eaton's or Golden's, would be like learning to wear a visible stain that would mark all of those who would be willing to accept such a teaching of "unity." And worse it would bear down like a millstone on all the backs of "Republicans" struggling to achieve anything while burdened by such a false notion.
A vital and healthy party needs diversity and independence in its GROWING ranks. Instead, Eaton and Golden want to shrink-wrap a shriveled corpse of a long out of date organization and refer to that mummy as the Brooklyn Republican Party. It is their obsession with imposing such a charnel house unity on Brooklyn Republicans that makes Eaton and Golden "two of the biggest problems in/for/of the Brooklyn GOP" not whether they "would ever accept money."
State Senator and former Councilman Golden and Republican County Chairman Eaton were mentioned herein above in connection with the federal corruption probe that has resulted in the arrests of a State Senator, a Councilman and a [pair] of Republican "County Chairm[e]n" because of the nature of the alleged underlying corrupt transactions and who would necessarily have been materially involved and/or certainly "in the know" to complete all the of the deals contemplated.
The following April 5th "Reply" comment from "Anonymous... Galewyn" has been moved from the comments thread to the post above, "The Federal Probe is not the only source of charge..." its original placement at that location is marked. It has been moved to this location because I think that's where it really belongs. What follows is the complete text of the comment:
Delete_____________________________________
Anonymous April 5, 2013 at 1:18 PM
Galewyn April 2nd Response
You have a way with words.
I had wrote, I love the way you write and you are very spunky. You did not respond with even a thank you. This shows me you might lack manners or are having a bad day or is it you feel you are being attacked by what I wrote and you in my opinion show this to me in the following which you wrote and these are your words, now understand this is just my opinion which is worth around 2 cents.
Can you name some of the other forms of corruption and if so if there is corruption why don’t you report this to the proper people for action. What you think is corruption might not be corruption or is it about personalities and you all don’t see eye to eye on what is right or wrong.
You are telling me you do beat them up all the time and then change or even part of the time and then you ask me can I name a single victim. All the people you write negative about for if you can’t say anything nice about someone, why talk. I don’t see Eaton writing about you or is he doing it and I just don’t see it on all the blogs I visit? Mentally you are defeating your own thoughts of achieving anything that is positive for the Republican Party and to me that is my right and to you in your eyes I could be wrong. Mentality you do not like Eaton, Golden, Gene, Russ and other people for reasons you feel are right and in my thoughts I feel are wrong.
You wrote:"[L]earning to operate as one party," whether Lincoln's or Stalin's, or Eaton's or Golden's, Point well taking and as long as you think you are right and they are wrong The Republican Party will be divided and will lose, lose and lose. Mentally you are defeating the principals of what the Republican Party once was and I really don’t think it could never go back to what it once stood for as long as there are two Young Republican Clubs of which one was the Original and the Other is just made up by The Chairman who was voted in I am going to assume by other Republicans. Now are all of the other Republicans wrong?
Craig stated at a meeting and I am quoting him if anybody can do a better job than he does then come on down and do it, I never seen you or Nocera there at any of their meetings! Why?
It’s about Personalities and you all don’t like each other and this is the sad truth. Everybody can’t be the boss, stay divided, it’s good for The Democrats for they laugh at all of the nonsense and use it to their advantage.
I like Glenn I think he is a good man and I know from listening to him he does try to do what is right for the Republican Party, but a party divided will always fall short and the history book shows me this.
You wrote: A vital and healthy party needs diversity and independence in its GROWING ranks. You all say one thing and then you switch by saying State Senator Golden and Republican County Chairman Eaton were mentioned herein above in connection with the federal corruption. I never saw their names mentioned in anything I read. If they are guilty justice will get them and if the law does not. God will.
The following "Reply Comment" appeared in response to the above at the site of its original placement. Here is the complete text of the reply:
Delete________________________________
Anonymous April 5, 2013 at 1:47 PM
1) Eaton only invites those he wishes to see at his meetings, ergo many party members never know a meeting is happening.
2) If he really wants someone to step up, he'd stop being fixated on crushing even the smallest opposition to his leadership.
3) People in public or party office are open to criticism by total strangers in the media or elsewhere, such is the nature of politics. For instance, President Obama cannot gag Rush Limbaugh nor should he acknowledge him. Same goes for a county party chairman.
4) All of the above indicate that Eaton is a terrible chairman, is exactly the wrong kind of person to be involved in politics at any level, and routinely uses lies, red herrings, and straw man arguments to victimize himself and feed/excuse his sick obsession with power. The guy should do himself and his family a favor and stick to private practice, step down and he can just live in peace.
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There was a further comment made in reply to the above "Reply", as follows:
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Anonymous April 5, 2013 at 2:31 PM
Well said Anonymous. I love this blog GALEWYN and to me it is very informative. Your blog is alive and smells of roses. Keep up the good work
AN SIMPLE COMPARISON OF CONTENT AND STYLE DISCLOSES A REGULAR OLD BROOKLYN GOP BLOGGER -- "ANONYMOUS... CAPTAIN AMERICA" -- UP TO SOME OF HIS MORE BENIGN OLD TRICKS
DeleteOn April 1st the following comment by “Anonymous said... Captain America” appeared on one of the “OFFICIAL” blogs of the Kings County Republican Party, the “Brooklyn GOP Radio -Official- Show Blog,” which is operated and moderated by Gene R. Berardelli, Esq., who is also a Vice Chairman of the Kings County Republican Party. The comment appears below the Thursday, March 28, 2013 post “Welcome to the People's Republic of New York,” which also happens to be by Mr. Berardelli. Here is a verbatim copy of that comment (margins and spacing excepted):
“Anonymous said...
Captain America
A Divided house. How can we mend this Republican house in Brooklyn that has been ripped apart by personalities. This person does not like this person and that person does not like this person.
I visit a lot of political sites and read the remarks. The Senators and even the Congressmen and women are the same all over the country Divided on what is right and or wrong.
My right could be your wrong and your right could be my wrong.
When I first came to 17th Avenue I studied everything and everybody. Craig Eaton is the Chairman and a lot of people do not like him or Russ or Gene.
Their opinions on what is right or wrong is their opinions and if you don't like their opinions what do people do.
They talk about them like they are dogs.
This is wrong!
If you are into politics just to create a soap opera and talk about people then you are into destroying yourself and everything around you.
If your really concerned about politics in Brooklyn and the people of Brooklyn come on down and get the signatures and work as ONE.
Craig is the chairman and in my thoughts he is the boss.
Craig tries like hell to do the right thing and all I see is people bashing his head in.
Then they bash Russ and Gene for trying.
You have to learn that it is not only about the self, but about the whole.
What is right for all the people, not just a select few and you have to learn to listen to all opinions and if in your thoughts you feel they are doing a horrible job than go down to 17th Avenue and do a better job.
I see right thru people and their lies and their bullshit, but I don't talk about them like they are dogs for my thoughts are my thoughts and why would I want to hurt peoples feelings.
If you think and feel you can do a better job like Craig said once come on down and do it and these are his remarks.
Than come on down or shut up. A divided house will never beat the Democrats in any up coming Major elections.
This People's Republic of New York is going to get worst and worst, unless we all become ONE in thought!”
If you compare the words, phrases and style of composition, you can see that the author of "Anonymous... Captain America" and several of the comments that appear above in this thread of comments are one and the same.
CLEARLY THIS PERSON IS ADVOCATING TOTALITARIAN SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE BROOKLYN GOP --- Presumably he thinks the same way about the USA.
The man behind the pseudonym, "Anonymous... Captain America" has a checkered history that has been well documented elsewhere --- an inclination toward totalitarianism is among the lesser of his problems. In the past he has indicated an inclination toward and ability to visit violence upon important people. Many have dismissed this man as a complete blowhard -- and he well might be that. I took no chances and reported him to the proper authorities. Although he is still active on the internet, and his commentary indicates that he is a regular at Brooklyn GOP meetings, his recent material has avoided some his earlier more extreme content.
I have stated before, as long as he colors within the lines, his material will be allowed to appear among the comments to this blog. I will expunge or otherwise moderate the material submitted by this man whenever that is appropriate.
UPDATE:
ReplyDeleteTHE SCHEME TO OBTAIN A WILSON-PAKULA AUTHORIZATION FOR STATE SENATOR MALCOLM SMITH DID REACH STATE SENATOR MARTIN GOLDEN OR THOSE AROUND HIM
If they haven't done so already, I hope federal investigators get around to questioning State Senator Martin Golden and members of his staff in connection with real evidence against at least one of those already charged with wrong-doing in the federal complaint.
One of my Baker Street Irregulars tells me that at least one call was made by at least one of the individuals charged in the federal complaint to State Senator Golden or at least one of his staff members and the purpose of the call was specifically about arranging for a Wilson-Pakula for State Senator Malcolm Smith.
If the feds can't get around to investigating this, the city-wide or local press certainly should.