CPI Alleges “No Show” Job at SUNY Research Foundation

The state Commission on Public Integrity (CPI) issued a “notice of reasonable cause” (also known as a NORC, essentially a formal allegation) yesterday, alleging that SUNY Vice Chancellor John J. O’Connor, who also heads the SUNY Research Foundation “knowingly and intentionally” violated the state’s Public Officers Law by arranging a “no show” job for Susan Bruno, daughter of former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.  The NORC also alleges that the Research Foundation created documents to support Bruno’s hiring after the Albany Times union made inquiries about her job responsibilities and work hours in 2007.

The CPI says that Ms. Bruno was not qualified for her former job as special assistant to the president, “in which she performed little or no work and in which she rarely, if ever, came to the office.”  Ms. Bruno’s attorney Stephen Coffey said that the Commission’s allegations are wrong.

The CPI has also made supporting information available here.

In response, O’Connor filed a complaint of his own later on Friday.  O’Connor’s attorney Karl Sleight wrote to State Inspector General Ellen Biben, complaining that the CPI is guilty of leaking information to the press and denying O’Connor the opportunity to be heard to defend himself against these allegations.

The IG has not indicated whether her office intends to act on O’Connor’s request.

If the CPI matter is not settled, then the Commission will hold a hearing on the allegations made in the NORC.