JCOPE Holds Special Meeting, Debates in Public and Expands Probe (Updated)
Apparently in response to criticism of its initially limited investigation into the sexual harassment scandal, the state’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) held a special meeting yesterday to expand its probe beyond Assemblyman Vito Lopez to look at how the Lopez sexual harassment matter was handled by Assembly Speaker Silver. It is possible that the investigation could also include Attorney General Schneiderman and Comptroller DiNapoli, whose offices each had some involvement in approving the Lopez settlement.
Before going into executive session, JCOPE Commissioners engaged in a nearly hour-long discussion of whether its deliberations should be open to the public. Speaker Silver’s appointees spoke out about what they called inaccurate press reports regarding how JCOPE is handling the matter, and sought to have JCOPE discuss the matter in a public session.
[After JCOPE met in private for about 90 minutes, Chair Janet DiFiore told the press that the Commissioners had unanimously voted to launch a substantial basis investigation. She did not provide any details on the target or scope of JCOPE’s investigation.
In a radio interview earlier in the day, Gov. Cuomo said that he is open to “tweaks” in the law that created JCOPE, but he offered no specifics.
Two editorial boards are calling for changes to the laws under which JCOPE operates:
Newsday (subscription required) wants to see the law changed:
“To restore the credibility of JCOPE — as well as that of the legislature — the ethics law must be amended to minimize the ability of commission members to veto a probe. The amendment must also permit disclosure of probes underway, when the underlying incident is already well known to the public, as in this case.”
The Times Union wants the Governor and Legislature to start from scratch.