Former NY Liberal Party chairman indicted
From Sunshine Review
16 April 2009
Raymond Harding, the former chairman of the New York Liberal Party, was indicted April 15 on charges of taking over $800,000 in exchange for doing political favors, along with other allegations of corruption.[1] According to the complaint filed by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Harding, 74, provided "30 years worth" of favors to former State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi, who resigned in late 2006 after being convicted on an unrelated felony.[2]
[edit] Pension funds
The charges against Harding come as a result of a two year investigation into a pay-to-play scheme in which aides to Hevesi, led by Democratic consultant Hank Morris, arranged access to state pension funds in exchange for some $30 million in campaign contributions, fees and gifts.[2] Cuomo's complaint says Harding became involved with the scheme in June 2003, and sought out help from an unnamed official in the Comptroller's Office to receive kickbacks. "They were using the fund as a piggy bank to pay people who did them political favors, like clearing an Assembly seat for the comptroller's son," Cuomo stated.[2]
From 2004-06, Harding is alleged to have received a portion of the finder's fee from two investment firms related to deals for managing $100 million of New York's $122 billion pension fund.[1] Morris and former pension fund manager David Loglisci were indicted on 123 counts last month for their part in the scheme.
[edit] Queens assembly seat
Harding has also been accused opening up a seat in the New York Assembly so that Hevesi's son Andrew could run for it. A top aide to Hevesi approached then Queens Assemblyman Michael Cohen about resigning his seat in 2005. Harding arranged an interview for Cohen at the Health Insurance Plan of New York for a $150,000 a year position, which he got, leaving his seat in March 2005.[2]
Hevesi's son, whom Cuomo does not believe was in on the deal, easily won the seat in a special election. Soon after, Harding received $505,000 in fees from a firm dealing with pension funds.
[edit] Innocent
A statement from Harding's lawyers assert he "is innocent of these charges.” It goes on to say “Ray has had a long and honorable career in both private and public life and his work as a placement agent on behalf of highly respected firms was equally honorable and entirely lawful. Ray looks forward to defending against these baseless accusations in court and maintaining his good name and reputation.”[3]
Harding was released on a $100,000 bond.
[edit] Ongoing investigation
Cuomo stressed that the investigation is still an ongoing effort. “We do expect additional charges,” he stated.[4]
[edit] References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 New York Times, Former Liberal Party Chairman Is Indicted, April 16, 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 'ALBANY FOR SALE' RAPS, April 16, 2009
- ↑ Politics on the Hudson, The Harding Defense, April 15, 2009
- ↑ Financial Times, NY prosecutors widen pension fund probe net, April 16, 2009
