Originally Published: September 7, 2012
Lopez Investigation is a Test of JCOPE & Future of Ethics Reform in Albany
Dick Dadey, executive director of Citizens Union, today released the following statement in response to published reports regarding the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics investigation into the multiple instances of sexual harassment by state assemblymember Vito Lopez:
“Recent reports that JCOPE’s investigation is so far only focused on Vito Lopez and not all who were involved in this matter is of great concern. Public trust in whether our new ethics law will work relies on whether JCOPE conducts a full and thorough investigation of all parties who had a role in negotiating, reviewing, advising, processing or settling this matter.
“If reports are true that JCOPE is only partially investigating the Lopez affair, they may be doing the public a disservice. We call upon JCOPE to use their investigative powers to look at the actions of not just one person, but also the entire broken system that produced the first confidential settlement. JCOPE was created for precisely this reason – to provide effective oversight of the legislature’s ethics. Citizens Union is not accusing anyone of any misconduct but for Lopez — we do not yet know what happened, which is why JCOPE must step in and review all aspects so the questions that everyone is asking can be answered independently and impartially.
“In vigorously investigating all facts relating to Vito Lopez’s misconduct, as well as possible attempts to procure undue influence or violate the public trust by any member of state government, JCOPE will send a strong and unequivocal message to all New Yorkers that a new sheriff has indeed arrived to clean up Albany.”