It has been 8 years since the Roslyn School scandal was first revealed. After discovering school official theft of millions of tax dollars from district accounts, we learned that similar fraud occurred in other school districts.  These shocking revelations sent some school admistrators to jail and encouraged the resignation or retirement of others. It also launched audits of all NYS school districts and municipalities.  The scrutiny of both local and state auditors demanded tighter and more rigorous regulations and policies.  While law-abiding administrators were not pleased with having to jump through more hoops to purchase supplies, equipment and services, most understood the need and importance for this new level of fiscal responsibility.

It seems that the NYS Legislature is now in the same position that schools found themselves in years ago. 

Assemblyman Silver claims that his payout in the Vito Lopez sexual harassment case was both legal and ethical.  If this was truly done in a legal manner, our laws must change.  However if not unlawful, utilizing tax dollars to protect an elected politician and silence his accusers is most certainly ethically reprehensible and fiscally irresponsible. All other NYS Public agencies and employees are rightfully under intense financial and ethical scrutiny.  In these challenging times, our elected officials must be held to the same standard.

As we wait for the findings of Governor Cuomo’s imposed Ethics Committee investigation, Assemblymen Lopez and Silver should both resign.  Anything less would create a black mark for all NYS elected officials.