Senator O'Brien and Democratic Conference unveil tough ethics package

ALBANY, N.Y. – The Senate Democratic Conference today unveiled a tough legislative ethics package designed to reform state government and combat the ongoing corruption issues facing New York State. The Conference also announced their support for the principles of the Governor’s legislative package the “New York Public Trust Act.” 

“The events of the past few weeks have shown all New Yorkers more must be done to clean up Albany,” Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “Public corruption and the abuse of power by elected officials is a serious problem that must be confronted and eliminated. I urge my colleagues in the Senate Republican Coalition join with the Senate Democratic Conference to clean up Albany.”

The bill that Senator O'Brien is sponsoring would outlaw the use of campaign money for attorneys fees or any costs for defending against criminal or civil prosecution for alleged violations of any state or federal law.

Bill sponsor Senator Ted O’Brien said, “When corrupt elected officials are caught defrauding the public, their attempts to use campaign accounts to pay their legal fees add insult to injury. That is why I have proposed legislation to ensure campaign funds can no longer be used to pay for any costs related to criminal or civil defense. Campaign accounts should be used to support candidates getting into office, not fund attempts to stay out of prison."

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Sen. O’Brien represents the 55th district in the Senate, which is made up of the eastern half of Monroe County and the western half of Ontario County, including much of the city of Rochester.

Media contact:

Thomas J. Morrisey
Communications Director
office:   (585) 223-1800
e-mail:  tjmorris@nysenate.gov