Moreland Act Commission to Investigate Public Corruption Off to a Quiet Start

The Times Union reports that the new Commission to Investigate Public Corruption, appointed by Gov. Cuomo on July 2, held its first meeting yesterday — behind closed doors and without any public notice. (Read my prior post on the new Commission here.)

Executive Director Regina Calcaterra said that the Commission, because of its advisory nature, is exempt from requirements under the state’s Open Meetings Law. The group reportedly held an “introductory and organizational” meeting at a Manhattan law firm.

Republicans were critical of the move, as was a good government advocate.

Calcaterra defended the move, and in doing so may have provided some insights on how it views its charge:

“Anyone who thinks an investigation can or should be conducted in public view doesn’t understand the law.  There is no attorney general’s office or district attorney’s office in the country that operates in full public view….To expose the commission’s correspondence would make it impossible to conduct an effective investigation.  The commission will have public hearings across the state and have a full and robust dialogue, but it will not reveal confidential information or trample the rights and privacy of the innocent.”

So it appears to be an “advisory” group, but one with broad investigatory powers.