New York State Executive Chamber | Governor Eliot Spitzer

Press Releases | Speeches | Executive Orders | Proclamations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 25, 2007

STATEMENT OF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR CHRISTINE ANDERSON REGARDING POTENTIAL FOR SENATE HEARINGS

The suggestion by some state Senators that there is a need for Senate hearings on this issue is unfounded and serves only to distract state government from the people’s business that must move forward.

Two independent investigatory entities – the State Attorney General’s Office and the State Inspector General’s Office – just completed comprehensive reviews of the allegation that Senator Bruno had been “surveilled.” Both investigations concluded that no “surveillance” or criminal or civil illegal conduct had occurred.

Senator Bruno himself termed the Attorney General’s investigation “thorough and comprehensive,” saying it reflected “a professional and independent investigation” and that the people of this state should be proud to have an Attorney General who can conduct a “fair and thorough investigation.” Yet despite these recent statements, the State Senate, a legislative body, is now discussing a plan to substitute a partisan investigation for the thorough analysis and conclusions of two established investigative agencies.

The Governor has accepted the conclusions of these investigations and responded immediately with sanctions on those responsible for the serious lapses of judgment cited. The Governor also called for an immediate review of the policies concerning the use of state aircraft and vehicles, the handling of Freedom of Information Law requests, and ways to ensure the independence of the State Police force.

As a result, any new Senate hearings on this same issue would be a complete waste of State taxpayer dollars for purely partisan and political purposes. Moreover, the State Senate lacks the constitutional authority to conduct investigatory hearings into the internal operations of the Governor’s Office.

We hope to continue to work closely with both the Senate and the Assembly on moving forward with the people’s business.