Soares Investigating State Agencies


By DIA, Section News
Posted on Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 05:56:43 AM EST

Two parts I really enjoyed in this article. First the basic investigations.
Fresh from bringing down state Comptroller Alan Hevesi, Albany County District Attorney David Soares on Tuesday said he is investigating allegations of wrongdoing at four state agencies.
This little passage has a couple of good points
....but critics have suggested that county lawmakers, many of whom are aligned with Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, are angry at D'Alessandro from the days when, as an Albany police officer, he blew the whistle on problems in that department.

By seeking state help to keep his investigator, Soares could also be painting the Legislature as resistant to change or efforts at ensuring good government.

Grandeau, when asked his opinion, added that he'd be willing to hire D'Alessandro if the funding for his county job wasn't restored.

"If he wasn't able to stay with David, I'd love to have him," Grandeau said.
The Albany County Legislature and the Honorable Mayor Jerry Jennings resistant to change or efforts at ensuring good government? But I thought they had sworn an oath to do just that? Sometimes I feel so naive.

< Albany County Checks and Balances | Hard Choices >

Menu

+ create account
+ faq
+ search

Login

Make a new account

Username:
Password:

Related Links

+ really enjoyed in this article.
+ Also by DIA
Display: Sort:
Soares Investigating State Agencies | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 hidden)
Grandeau (none / 0) (#1)
by alfrednewman on Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 06:30:21 AM EST
While I think Grandeau is great (I used to love following him as the City Manager of Troy)I don't think that I would want to work for him.  He was appointed and I am willing to bet he wont reappointed
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
Huh? (none / 0) (#2)
by 1894 on Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 06:30:23 AM EST
Soares brought down Hevesi? I thought Hevesi brought down Hevesi.

Oh, come now 1894 (none / 0) (#3)
by alfrednewman on Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 07:17:01 AM EST
It was the Times Union who brought down Hevesi. Kind of a no-brainer to go after a state official who has already been found to have violated the law (at least twice) by ethics committees and publicly admitted it.

If Soares wants to do the State AG's job then thats just fine with me. I trust Soares more than I trusted AG Spitzer and certainly more than I trust AG Coumo.

Of course our streets arent getting any safer....
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

Cookedbooks (none / 0) (#4)
by A Muse on Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 02:56:12 PM EST
It will be interesting to see if individuals in the Jennings administration will be found at fault for using the private resources of City taxpayers for the private benefit of individuals.  In some states it is called stealing or graft.  Although not yet made public, it has occurred.  Hevesi is not alone in his mistakes.  Based on the way the state operates, I am truly surprised he was not promoted.  I believe the oath that is sworn is CYA, sworn to on a cookbook or cookedbooks.  

What's the encore? (none / 0) (#5)
by 1894 on Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 03:47:36 PM EST
True enough that Hevesi supplied the rope and hung himself out to dry. Was it so hard to bring down someone who was already twisting in the wind?

Which is why I don't get the fawning attempts to instantly cast Soares, as the NY Post did the other day, as a "feared" corruption buster. He's going to have to do a whole lot better than a soft target like Hevesi.

1894 (none / 0) (#6)
by alfrednewman on Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 04:26:26 PM EST
Why did I think you were a Soares supporter?
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]
Already done a whole lot better.... (none / 0) (#7)
by George Bailey on Wed Jan 03, 2007 at 08:50:26 PM EST
than Cline would have, don't you think?

REAL or NOT (none / 0) (#8)
by nitevision on Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 07:18:53 AM EST
I believe that David Soares is sincere and is committed to doing a good job.

However -----  David has fallen into the trap of shameless self-promotion.  His bragging about the Heversi case doesn't hold up to close examination. Just talk to courthouse insiders.

David touting his Public Integrity Unit as the end-all, be-all is nothing more than smoke and mirrors.  That "unit" had 2 Assistant District Attorneys, one is on military leave.  That leaves only one young and inexperienced ADA for window dressing.  The unit also has a former Guilderland cop as its only investigator.

Chris D'Allessandro, in spite of public comments, was not leading the Heversi investigation.  The truth is that David's single investigator was following the state police & other state investigators around.  Outsiders made the case, not David's Public Integrity Unit.  True that Heversi served it all up on a silver platter.

Jamie Gilkey's indictment for manipulating absentee ballots was also gleaned from the civil case and not from a skillful investigation by David's Public Integrity Unit.  David let Gilkey off with a slap on the wrist and never forced the defendant to reveal any co-conspirators.  Michael Brown for example was not called to explain himself.

Advice for the new year ----  David get out of the glare of the TV lights and get back to doing the job you promised us ---- clean up this town.  We know that you can do it.

bragging (none / 0) (#9)
by DIA on Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 08:07:04 AM EST
please point out where he was bragging about the case.   I'm interested in see that, because i've missed it.  

And, i will point out that when he was on good morning america because the wife of the guy who is the head of the Recapitalize Albany effort was fucking the christian boys, I thought that was a really big mistake.   I'm against self promotion.  Actions should do the speaking.  however, I don't see it with this case.   I was kind of surprised that the NYC papers were heaping on the praise.   However, since no politician has ever been prosecuted in albany for anything, this seems like the second coming to some.

much work to be done.  his office is understaffed.  He has admitted that.  So far, he is living up to his promises.  

I'll expect you will be at the legislature meeting on monday urging them to vote to keep CD on the payroll since you obviously agree that the office is understaffed.  Thanks.

[ Parent ]

Smallfries ? (none / 0) (#10)
by A Muse on Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 08:56:58 AM EST
Maybe the Hevesi case can be a beginning.  Unfortunately the cost of investigations are expensive.  Possible the office of the DA should work it's way up with smaller cases that spiral into larger ones.  Seems to be enough politicians hanging around just waiting to be caught.  

Muse (none / 0) (#11)
by alfrednewman on Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 09:20:07 AM EST
They are not expensive. The Times Union on-line is free.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]
Soares Investigating State Agencies | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 hidden)
Display: Sort:
create account | faq | search