GOVERNOR PATERSON APPOINTS MICHAEL CHERKASKY TO SERVE AS CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION ON PUBLIC INTEGRITY

Calls on Six Gubernatorial Appointees, Executive Director and General Counsel to Resign

Urges Partners in Government to Ask for Resignation of Their Designees

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the appointment of Michael G. Cherkasky to serve as Chair of the Commission on Public Integrity. Mr. Cherkasky has an outstanding record as an investigator, prosecutor and reformer.

“Today I am pleased to appoint a person of exemplary experience and unquestioned integrity as the new Chairman of the Commission on Public Integrity, Michael G. Cherkasky,” said Governor Paterson. “The position of Chairman has been empty since January, when Dean John Feerick left the Commission.  I have waited to replace him until the Inspector General released his report. I am confident that my appointment of Chairman Cherkasky combined with new Commission members will give the Commission the fresh start it needs and will help to restore public confidence in both the Commission and State government. Under Chairman Cherkasky’s leadership, the Commission will be transformed into an effective enforcer of our ethics and lobbying laws.”

Governor Paterson made this announcement on the same day that New York Inspector General Justice Joseph Fisch released a comprehensive report on the Commission on Public Integrity. The report found that there were serious violations of the public trust prompting Governor Paterson to call six of his gubernatorial appointees, the Executive Director and the General Counsel of the Commission to resign. In addition, Governor Paterson urged his partners in government to ask for the resignation of their designees.

“The Inspector General’s report indicates that the Commission’s Executive Director wrongfully disclosed confidential information, compromising the Commission’s independence.  It also indicates that the Commission failed to remedy or even recognize these breaches of confidentiality. We must do everything possible to ensure full transparency, accountability and oversight when it comes to the actions of public officials,” added Governor Paterson. “Real reform means zero tolerance for unethical or criminal behavior which is why I am calling on six gubernatorial appointees as well as the Commission’s Executive Director and General Counsel to step down. I am also suggesting that my partners in government ask for the resignation of their designees.”

Mr. Cherkasky is currently President of US Investigations Services, the largest supplier of security investigations for the United States government.  Prior to that, he served as President and CEO of the insurance broker Marsh & McLennan, where he restored integrity to the company after a damaging kickback scandal. As President and CEO of Kroll, Inc., the nation’s most acclaimed investigative firm, he oversaw some of the nation’s highest-profile reform efforts, including major reforms at the Los Angeles Police Department in the early years of this decade. He has also served as Chief of the Investigations Division for the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where he investigated fraud, corruption, money laundering, and organized crime figures.

As Chair of the Commission on Public Integrity, Mr. Cherkasky will not receive a salary. This appointment does not require Senate confirmation.