Posted on 09/30/2006 10:18:02 PM PDT by neverdem
LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. - Comptroller Alan Hevesi offered his first public apology yesterday for failing to reimburse the state for using one of his employees to chauffeur his wife since 2003.
"It was irresponsible of me," Hevesi said at a meeting of the New York State Association of Counties. "For the comptroller of the state of New York, it was really inappropriate."
Hevesi, who is seeking a second four-year term as the state's chief financial officer, acknowledged last week he had not reimbursed the state for the cost of having his wife driven around by a state employee since 2003. Hevesi said this week he has repaid the state $82,688 for the worker's service.
Christopher Callaghan, Hevesi's Republican challenger, called on Hevesi to resign, saying he believed the comptroller intentionally deceived the public.
"He's shown he can't be trusted," said Callaghan, a former Saratoga County treasurer. "His actions give no evidence he ever intended to pay."
Callaghan on Monday said Hevesi's use of a state employee, Nicholas Acquafredda, to chauffeur his wife was a crime, and asked the Albany County District Attorney's Office to investigate.
The comptroller sent a letter to the state Ethics Commission asking for a review of his actions.
"I offer no excuses," Hevesi said in the letter. "It was never my intent to engage in any conduct that would constitute either the appearance or actuality of any violation of the public officers' law or, indeed, the public trust that has been placed in me."
Hevesi acknowledged the arrangement only after Callaghan raised questions about it. Callaghan told reporters he...
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Hevesi also used Acquafredda to drive his wife around when he was city comptroller, but Hevesi halted the practice shortly after The Post began making inquiries about it in 2001 and paid back the city $6,439.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
In other words, "Since I got caught, I'm sorry, now I want to get on with my life as a paid State Comptroller and hope that I can cover it up better next time".
My husband's boss. It would appear the auditor needs to be audited.
Hevesi also used Acquafredda to drive his wife around when he was city comptroller, but Hevesi halted the practice shortly after The Post began making inquiries about it in 2001 and paid back the city $6,439.... he repeated the action with, as you say, the same driver! Any claims of not knowing it was illegal expired with the first time he paid restitution. Doing it again was just plain stupid - or exceedingly arrogant.
"Was that wrong? Should I have not done that? I tell you I gotta plead ignorance on this thing because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first started here that that sort of thing was frowned upon, you know, cause I've worked in a lot of offices and I tell you people do that all the time." George, The Red Dot. Episode 29
New trial for woman convicted in deadly Rockland brinks robbery (Weather Underground, 1981)
New Trial for Woman in 1981 Brink’s Case Is Reopening Old Wounds Slimes' printer friendly version
FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list. IMHO, we have a surfeit of enemies, not counting Chicoms and Russkies.
Perhaps the wifey requested this particular driver?
He may just have certain special skills as a body guard that she needs.
Thanks for the ping!
Caught twice using state resources and he's allowed to walk with just paying the money back. I like it that politicians (specifically Dems) are allowed to use the terms "mistake" and "bad judgement" as excuses for deliberate violations of legal and ethics rules. Too bad John Q. Public doesn't get the same option.
I'm sure it was the latter, as Hevesi is about as pompous and arrogant as they come. Also, this is NY, where the politicians routinely fleece the taxpayers.
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