SILVER'S SLIPPERY SLOPE (Dumbocrat corruption alert-hid serial rapist's crimes)

NY POST ^ | June 13, 2004 | EDITORIAL

[Liz]

The news that Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is being sued for not stopping his chief counsel from committing rape sounds preposterous on its face — but it's hard not to love the irony.

After all, Silver himself is largely to blame for batty suits like this. As counsel to one of the state's top tort law firms, Weitz & Luxenberg, Silver reportedly is paid handsomely — no doubt, to make sure state law is designed with tort lawyers in mind. And in that sense, Silver does not disappoint: New York law lets lawyers make a mint by filing lucrative lawsuits. Lawsuits like the one filed Wednesday by a former aide against . . . him.

The irony gets better: As the most powerful Democrat in state government, Silver is supposed to champion women's rights. Yet the suit accuses him of tolerating "a climate" of sexual harassment in the Assembly.

Demagoguery aside, Silver — it would seem, anyway — couldn't care less about sexual harassment. Or even rape. Indeed, the plaintiff says the speaker, in effect, attempted to cover up earlier charges that his chief counsel, Michael Boxley, sexually assaulted another aide, Elizabeth Crothers. An Assembly lawyer allegedly tried to stop Crothers from complaining. When she did, Silver downplayed the matter, "stating that his first concern was 'the appearance' of the Assembly" — i.e., him.

--SNIP--

[Liz]

The victim's suit says Speaker Silver assigned one of Boxley's own aides to investigate the woman's claim. The victim was also told NOT to go to the police.

Duh. Obstruction of justice anyone?

Speaker Silver is a lawyer, a lawmaker, and heads the Democratic majority. Such vermin---er,ah----I mean---- such people are held to a higher authority.

This makes Speaker Silver's actions ever more egregious since Silver calculatledy acted, and colluded with others to hide evidence that a crime had been committed by his own aide.

Why would Speaker Silver hide a crime?

Easy. He's a Dumbocrat, isn't he?

One can also imagine the vicarious thrills Silver and the boys in Albany got as serial rapist Boxley regaled them with stories of his sexual exploits with the unsuspecting victims. The boys musta had lotsa laughs at the expense of rape victims.

In other words, Silver and the boys in Albany know plenty.

[mewzilla]

Why is the NYP calling this a batty lawsuit? Sounds to me like there's a case to be made. I say sic'em.

[wai-ming]

This happened in New York?

What did Hillary know, and when did she know it?

[TaxRelief]

But the idea that he personally, along with the Assembly, should be held legally liable for Boxley's criminal deeds is nuts.

The law is clear. Employers are responsible for sexual harassment in the work place. Exactly who does the NYPost think the employer is?

[Liz]

Nice take.

[Liz]

Yup. See post #4 below.

[Liz]

What did Hillary know about sex crimes? Surely, you jest.

[NYCVirago]

After all, Silver himself is largely to blame for batty suits like this. As counsel to one of the state's top tort law firms, Weitz & Luxenberg, Silver reportedly is paid handsomely — no doubt, to make sure state law is designed with tort lawyers in mind.

Anybody who ever watches daytime TV in New York City should be familiar with "Weitz & Luxenberg" -- they're one of those ambulance-chasing firms hustling for clients in commercials. It figures Silver is involved with them.

[Liz]

Good point. Lawyers who have to advertize are seen as shysters.

Also, I wonder how many state deals Silver connives so that he and W&L can cash in.

[lowbridge]

bump

[rmlew]

Sounds like a reasonable lawsuit.
I hate W&L and other ambulance chasers. That does not mean that all lawsuits are wrong.

Is anyone running against Sheli Silver?

[rmlew]

Ping!

[Liz]

Not yet (smirk).

[Liz]

ping