Nassau District Attorney, Senator Put Forward Anti-Corruption Legislation

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas and Senator Todd Kaminsky unveiled new anti-corruption legislation that they say will provide improved legal tools for local prosecutors to pursue corruption cases and to significantly increase penalties for government officials who violate the public’s trust.

The laws, which you can read here and here, will empower district attorneys by making it a crime to lie to local prosecutors and investigators, and will broaden the range of charges available to prosecutors who pursue corrupt public officials, as well as create stronger penalties.

"New York’s anti-corruption laws are outdated and inadequate, and this important legislation will give local prosecutors important new tools to combat the corruption that continues to degrade public confidence in our government," said Singas. "Stronger laws to deter government corruption and tougher penalties for those who abuse their positions of trust will help ensure that New Yorkers get the honest government that they deserve."

The legislation criminalizes lying to district attorneys, assistant district attorneys or district attorney investigators. While it is a felony to lie to federal government agents, New York law does not currently penalize such behavior. The bills also codify recommendations of the New York State White Collar Task Force to create and enhance penalties for public servants found guilty of official misconduct, ensuring that these crimes are punished at a level commensurate with their impact on the community. It would make official misconduct, which is currently a misdemeanor, a felony.

“As a former assistant district attorney and federal corruption prosecutor, I saw firsthand how corrupt politicians exploit our state’s weak laws,” said Kaminsky. “If we want to stop the rampant corruption that has plagued New York for decades, we must give prosecutors the tools they need to succeed and ensure that the penalty for corruption fits the crime. This legislation will strengthen our anti-corruption laws, lead to more convictions and stronger penalties, and send a message that New Yorkers will not tolerate dirty public officials.”

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