Malcolm Smith

[cheekman]

Another dirt ball politician from Albany off to jail for 7 years
By Joseph Spector on July 1, 2015. Time posted: 11:09 am. Former Democratic Senate Leader Malcolm Smith, D-Queens, was sentenced to seven years in prison today in White Plains for a scheme to bribe his way onto the ballot for New York City mayor in 2013.

Smith, 58, first elected in 2000, was the Senate majority leader for the first half of 2009, when a coup that summer ended his tenure. He lost re-election last year.

A federal jury found Smith guilty Feb. 5 of bribery conspiracy, wire fraud, use of interstate facilities to commit bribery and extortion, the Associated Press reported.

He’s one of 30 state lawmakers who have faced legal or ethics woes since 2000.

Smith sought the Republican nomination for mayor and tried to bribe city GOP leaders to get on the ballot.

The case was also tied to real-estate deals in Spring Valley, Rockland County, and five other politicians who were arrested with Smith were convicted or pleaded guilty.

[buffy]

Smith sought the Republican nomination for mayor and tried to bribe city GOP leaders to get on the ballot.

It was more like that is the way it happens, than trying to offer a bribe. He didn't "try" he KNEW he needed to bribe. He had a conversation that went something like this..."nothing happens without money, gotta offer them money before they will do anything for me"

Smith can't believe he's going to jail. He ran for reelection while under indictment (and lost). Said he's happy to have had the opportunity to serve - now he has to serve his sentence!