JCOPE Refers Matter to Legislative Ethics Commission (Updated)

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) announced this afternoon that it has “presented a Substantial Basis Investigation Report to the Legislative Ethics Commission (“LEC”) for its review” under the Legislative Law.

The LEC is a bi-partisan entity made up of nine members. Each of the four legislative leaders appoints one legislative and one non-legislative member. The fifth non-legislative member is appointed jointly by the Assembly Speaker and the Senate Majority Leader.

The LEC has 45 days to make its report public, although it can take as long as 90 days to act.

JCOPE did not identify the subject of the substantial basis investigation report, though there has been a great deal of speculation that it relates to Assemblyman Vito Lopez (read a prior post here).

JCOPE’s announcement provides at least a hint of the subject matter.  It also states that:

Separately, the Joint Commission is referring certain findings in its report to the Assembly Standing Committee on Ethics and Guidance, which has jurisdiction over Assembly rules and policies.

Update:  Read coverage of this in the NY Times, the Times Union, the Daily News and Newsday.