The Basics of the Upstate New York Revitalization Pay to Play Scam
New York is considered to
be a liberal state in the political arena, yet the politics, at times, seem to
be far from being anything that is considered to be liberal. Recently, the federal justice system proved
this to be true with the investigation into the revitalization plan for New
York by Governor Andrew Cuomo and the bidding wars with local construction and
development companies (Bekiempis, 2018; Wang & Weiser, 2018). Basically, the Cuomo administration and
organizations devised a plan for the redevelopment of Upstate New York and
monies and other incentives were given to public officials for guaranteed jobs
and contracts (Bekiempis, 2018; Wang & Weiser, 2018). The federal government eventually targeted
top aides in the Cuomo administration and was able to secure a conviction
(Bekiempis, 2018; Wang & Weiser, 2018).
Joseph Percoco was convicted of three counts in a federal court that are
intertwined with racketeering schemes (Bekiempis, 2018; Wang & Weiser,
2018). Claims were made by federal
prosecutors that hinted at the idea that Governor Cuomo and other members of
his administration were guilty of similar acts that Mr. Percoco was convicted
of, but the only convictions to date were that of Mr. Percoco, former State
University of New York Polytechnic Institute President Alain Kaloyeros, and an
executive from Competitive Power Ventures, Steven Aiello (Bekiempis, 2018; Wang
& Weiser, 2018). Other development
businesses’ employees and people with close affiliation with Governor Cuomo are
still dealing with federal legalities, but the federal government conveys
satisfaction with Percoco, Kaloyeros, and Aiello and continues its investigation
(Bekiempis, 2018; Campbell, 2018; Wang & Weiser, 2018).
Prosecutors claimed that
hundreds of thousands of dollars and other promises were funneled to Percoco,
his wife, and others to secure the jobs that were needed to finalize the
projects in Upstate New York (Bekiempis, 2018; Wang & Weiser, 2018). Lavish trips, adventures, jobs for family
members, and political contributions were the primary actions that led federal
prosecutors to indicting Percoco et al. (Bekiempis, 2018; Wang & Weiser,
2018). Federal authorities have claimed
that the public, other businesses that were not willing to participate in the bribery
requests by Percoco, and employees within the non-contracted businesses were the victims
in this situation (Bekiempis, 2018; Wang & Weiser, 2018). More specifically, the pay to play scam caused a breech in the ideas of public service in the United States –
especially in New York – and many blue-collar workers were undermined because
of the greed by Percoco and his associates.
Rather than having fair bidding negotiations or dispersing the
construction projects so that many other businesses and workers were employed and
participating in the growth in New York, Percoco and others used their authority
and positions to simply acquire money and other rewards without having the best
interest of the public in mind (Bekiempis, 2018; Wang & Weiser, 2018).
Policy
Implications
Internal and external
oversight should be conducted in all political endeavors that includes contracting
to private parties. Exercising such
practices would ensure that proper systems are being utilized for the public
benefit and that politicians and other people are not simply using their positions
to acquire wealth and other resources that allow them to live profligately. In addition to this, enhanced penalties
should be configured when public officials use their positions to benefit
themselves or others who they associate with.
By producing strict penalties for corrupt politicians, and properly
implementing them, it would allow the public to see that their government is
working for them and when a public official violates the public trust that the unlawful behaviors
will be properly dealt with which, in turn, would restore confidence in the
minds of constituents from all walks of life.
Rather than disdain toward government officials and entities, the
citizens would respect and trust the system of governance when the legal system
punishes those who enter public office and abuse their authority and
position.
More federal prosecutions
in political scandals needs to be initiated as well – and not only for state
public officials. By doing such,
citizens would, again, see that their government is truly working for them and
will not tolerate corruption or financial crimes when they are configured. Implementing tough penalties for corrupt public
officials and others who facilitate crimes via government officials would also
deter future harms against the public and instill appreciation for government
practices.
References
Bekiempis, V.
(2018, March 6). Judge in
ex-Cuomo aide Joseph Percoco trial tells deadlocked
jury
to keep working toward verdict. The New York Daily News. Retrieved from
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/judge-percoco-trial-tells-deadlocked-jury-
working-article-1.3858904.
Campbell, J.
(2018, July 12). Alain Kaloyeros,
Buffalo billion developers guilty on all
counts
in bid-rigging case. Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved from
https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2018/07/12/buffalo-
billion-alain-kaloyeros-suny-guilty-wire-fraud-conspiracy/780680002/.
Wang, V. & Weiser, B. (2018, March 13). Joseph Percoco, ex-Cuomo aide, found guilty
in
corruption trial. The New
York Times. Retrieved from
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/13/nyregion/percoco-corruption-bribery-trial-cuomo-
guilty.html.
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