Sheldon Silver's Financial Disclosure Forms Are Fodder

Yesterday, the NY Times reported how the Assembly Leader, who is also a trial lawyer, has loaned money to company that "helps finance small law firms that specialize in personal injury lawsuits"--raising some questions from Republican critics and government watchdog groups. Today the NY Sun has an editorial about his investments in for-profit hospital firms, which NY State bans--if Silver is investing in them, he should lead the way in letting them in. And there are still questions about Silver's finances: The Sun says "Albany officials are subject to less public disclosure" compared to federal lawmakers while the Times writes, "it is not known what he actually does at Weitz & Luxenberg," the law firm where he also works.

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By Jen Chung in News on August 7, 2008 8:54 AM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

He belongs in the trunk of a Lincoln rumbling through the Catskills under a moonless sky.

Qraymond

I don't agree with the notion that the Speaker is "a tumor."

But I am certainly not a supporter. He has consolidated far too much power for any one man, while simultaneously not delivering nearly enough for the people in his district, city, and state.

That's why I'm supporting Paul Newell for Assembly. He's a great fit for the district:

http://www.newellnyc.org/

There's plenty of good policy on there... and he's not Sheldon Silver.

jenspellnogood

silver IS a tumor.

smokedgouda

Silver is a bloated troll of a politician. Drunk on his power and influence, he sits back and forces everyone to bow down before him on every project he has say over. He is the embodiment of a career-politician with little to offer except his killswitch.

I hope he loses this election and is banished to Boca where he belongs.

ianmac47

I'm sure the Detroit automakers and big oil sing his praises every night.

thefacts

Did the the first two commenters not read the NYT story link?

Silver gave a loan to a start-up law firm that helps working class citizens with little financial resources to sue corporations and government agencies like the MTA. That is good, not bad!

The story mentioned that it was such a firm that helped the legendary Erin Brockavich sue the large firm that was contaminating water.

Citizen Action supports these efforts, but the right-wing Manhattan Institute and NY Sun object to these lawyers who sue big corporations on behalf of small clients.

Silver should be lauded.

takethecanoli

When will this prick get a brain tumor?

ianmac47

Let's stop tearing down on Congress people who have the power to bring millions of federal dollars to the city, and focus on criticizing the short sighted megalomaniacs who put personal interest above the public interest.