Governor Proposes New Law in Effort Against Public Corruption

In response to last week’s indictments of a State Senator, two Assembly members and a New York City Councilman, Gov. Cuomo held a press conference today to announce his first proposal – the “Public Trust Act” — in what he says will be a broader campaign to address public corruption.

He said that this is just step on in a broader reform effort, which will include campaign finance reform and changing the state’s election practices, and making the Legislature a full-time body, among other possible changes.

Read the Governor’s press release proposing the Public Trust Act. (While the bill has not been released, the press release outlines the measure.)

According to the release, the bill will propose the creation of three new “Public Corruption Crimes,” including bribing a public servant, corrupting the government, and failing to report a bribe or a bribe attempt.

In addition, legislators convicted of corruption charges would be banned from ever holding public office again, and they would also be prohibited from not be able to do business with the state.

Read the New York Times’ coverage of the Governor’s press conference.