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Corrupt Government Title: Queer democrat crybaby senator & his butt boy are going to jail Disgraced pol Carl Kruger wiped away tears yesterday as he pleaded guilty to taking nearly half a million dollars in bribes with the aid of his gay lover in a deal that calls for at least nine years in the slammer. The veteran Brooklyn Democrat quit the state Senate shortly before striking his plea bargain in Manhattan federal court, where he struggled to contain his emotions before finally losing it. I apologize if Im a little emotional over this, Kruger, 62, told the judge as he choked up. READ KRUGER'S SENATE RESIGNATION LETTER: Also pleading guilty was Krugers boyfriend, gynecologist Michael Turano, who faces up to five years for depositing the nearly $500,000 in payoffs into his own business accounts. I understood that part of this money was paid because Carl Kruger, acting in his official capacity as a member of the New York state Senate, sought to benefit those individuals or entities making such payments, Turano said through tears. Turano, 50, then fell apart even worse than Kruger, bowing his head and weeping, his sobs amplified through the courtroom by a nearby microphone. The dramatic display left Kruger looking pained as he covered his eyes with one hand. Kruger who infuriated gays and lesbians by opposing same-sex marriage before reversing himself this year has refused to acknowledge his relationship with Turano, despite wiretaps in which they were caught engaging in baby talk and discussing how Kruger fell in love with Turano at first sight. Kruger and Turano were among eight people busted earlier this year in what the feds called a broad-based bribery racket reflecting an unholy alliance of politicians, lobbyists and businessmen. Kruger was charged with peddling his influence for more than five years, including as chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. With Sen. Krugers guilty plea today, yet another lawmaker-turned-lawbreaker has now been removed from an undeserved position of power in Albany, Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara said. Instead of serving the people who elected him, Sen. Kruger monetized his public office and served himself. According to court papers, Kruger got more than $1 million in bribes through a pay-to-play scheme involving representatives of the real-estate, hospital, supermarket and beverage industries. In exchange for payments to shell companies set up by Turano, Kruger sponsored legislation, attempted to allocate millions in pork-barrel funds and even wrote a letter to a federal judge in Buffalo. The dirty money helped fund a lavish lifestyle that included a Bentley sedan and a garish Mill Basin mansion where Kruger and Turano live with Turanos brother and his mother, Brooklyn Community Board 18 District Manager Dorothy Turano. Under sentencing guidelines, the seriousness of Turanos crimes would ordinarily call for up to 71/4 years in prison, but his plea bargain to a single count of conspiracy to commit bribery limits him to five years. He also agreed to pay a fine of up to $125,000 and up to $450,000 in forfeitures. In court yesterday, Kruger pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and two counts of bribery conspiracy. Repeatedly dabbing his eyes with a tissue, he admitted using his official position on behalf of co-defendants including lobbyist Richard Lipsky, health-care consultant Solomon Kalish and former hospital exec Dr. Robert Aquino, against whom charges remain pending. My actions were in violation of the law, and I knew that they were wrong, he said. I accept responsibility for my actions and am truly sorry for my conduct. His plea deal recommends a prison term of between 9 and 111/4 years and a fine of up to $150,000, but Judge Jed Rakoff warned that he isnt bound by those guidelines and said Kruger, could face up to 50 years at his April 26 sentencing. Kruger also agreed to pay up to $450,000 in forfeitures. Kruger will get to keep his state pension, because the New York Constitution prohibits cutting benefits to anyone who has paid into the retirement system. Gov. Cuomo, at an Albany news conference, said: I think it was unfortunate and well have to move on, but we have to be cognizant that this is the peoples government, and there has to be 100 percent trust, and youre not going to have the trust until you earn it. Outside court, defense lawyer Ben Brafman who just last month predicted Krugers complete exoneration said that by accepting responsibility for his conduct, Sen. Kruger has confirmed his respect for the integrity of the judicial process. Brafman said he hoped that Rakoff would weigh Krugers crimes against the many years of devotion to the thousands of constituents Mr. Kruger has honestly served during a lifetime of public and community service, which, although obviously flawed, is still nevertheless, on balance, quite extraordinary. Senate Minority Leader John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) said Krugers conviction closes a sad chapter for the people of Mr. Krugers district and proves that no one is above the law. Restoring faith, trust and confidence in government must be our first priority, he added. Additional reporting by Fredric U. Dicker and Sally Goldenberg
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#1. To: Happy Quanzaa (#0)
I read the title and figured this would be a Barney Frank article, guess there are more of them than I thought as elected officials.....
"CHANGE" you can step in..... |
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