Following the conviction last week of former State Senator Ernie Newton on campaign finance charges, Mayor Bill Finch issued a rather lengthy news release detailing his support to “beat back public corruption” including “a lifetime disqualification for any elected official who commits a felony through the use, or attempted use, of their position.” It’s a revealing statement as former Mayor Joe Ganim considers a run for his old job. It also raises legitimate questions: Are voters not capable of determining who best to represent them? Or in some instances, as the mayor proposes, is it better to rescue voters from themselves?
Finch statement:
“This is another sad day for Bridgeport and all of Connecticut. And, this episode serves as one in a laundry list of others that feature a Connecticut politician who criminally violates the public’s trust.
“But the reality is that for too long, economic progress in Bridgeport–and across our state–has been stifled because of public corruption. When elected officials violate the public trust, it keeps businesses from wanting to invest and hire people here, and keeps our economy from reaching its full potential. And, we need stronger laws in place at the state level to sufficiently fight against public corruption. When corrupt elected officials are charged criminally, they too often get prosecuted at the federal level. The result: those who are hurt most by acts of public corruption–hard-working taxpayers across Connecticut–are unable to recoup expenses or seek justice. Therefore, their distrust in government continues to grow.
“Our governor and state legislature have taken positive steps in recent years to give state prosecutors better tools to beat back public corruption. The most notable new state law aimed at fighting public corruption bans elected officials who have been convicted of criminally violating the public’s trust from getting public funds from the state to finance their campaigns to run for the General Assembly or Executive Office. We’ve done a lot. But we need to do more to restore the public’s trust in government.
“That’s why I’m seeking to help the public’s trust in government by working with the legislature to give prosecutors the tools necessary to tackle public corruption at the state level, including: stronger penalties against elected officials who commit crimes against the public trust; a revocation of pensions for any elected official who commits a felony through the use, or attempted use, of their position; and a lifetime disqualification for any elected official who commits a felony through the use, or attempted use, of their position.
“In order to help create more jobs and continue to grow our economy, we need to crack down on public corruption. And, we can do this by making our state public corruption laws stronger, which will give hardworking Connecticut taxpayers a fair shot at recouping the losses and getting the justice they deserve.”
States that have some of the toughest laws against elected officials who violate the public trust:
· South Carolina: Public officer who is guilty of acceptance of bribes faces maximum of 10 years imprisonment in the State Penitentiary at hard labor, forfeiture of office, and disqualification from future office.
· New York: Members of the legislature or public servants who receive bribes face up to 7 years in prison, forfeiture of office, and disqualification from holding future office.
· Virginia: Public official or candidate who accepts bribes face 2-10 years in prison, forfeiture of office, and are forever disqualified from holding future office.
· Oklahoma: If you agree to receive a bribe, you face maximum imprisonment of 10 years, forfeiture of office, and disqualification from future office.
· West Virginia: As a public servant or party official, if you accept bribes in official or political matters, you face 1-10 years in prison and are disqualified from holding office.
· Mississippi: When officer, agent, or trustee accepts a bribe, they face up to ten years of prison, forfeiture of office, and are disqualified from holding office.
· Montana: Bribery in official or political matters leads to maximum imprisonment of 10 years and disqualified from holding public office in state.And, here’s a list of all 50 states and their current statutes surrounding public corruption: bit.ly/1whjcpB
Bill, stop using the misfortune of others as a cover for your lack of progress in every area necessary that could have moved our City forward in the seven years you served as Mayor. Should we get our shovels and snowblowers ready again as the winter snow approaches? How much of a tax increase should we expect next, how long will the barriers closing off streets downtown remain as you hope people will fall for your wishful thinking of real redevelopment, The kind that produces tax relief to residential taxpayers and especially those who live on fixed incomes? I can go on and on, but that will be done at the right political time. I have compassion for the personal trials and responsibilities you juggle; I’m also aware of the time they take you from serving as a full-time Mayor. But get off your high horse. There are plenty of us still around, especially my friend Dotti. We worked and tried relentlessly to find you employment during your difficult times. I know you need this paycheck and you’re entitled to it as long as you are the Mayor. But do your job, and do it full time. Cut the righteous bull, there are still some of us who go way back and know the BS. We know where the bodies are buried and the secrets still kept. Off the subject, word is Ed Farrow (you know, the lackey who broke the tie at the State Senate delegation meeting) is up for a job in the City Attorney’s office. Gotcha again, Bill! Tell me the difference between you and the ones who get caught.
Liza, wow, you really got this right when you said, “But get off your high horse. There are plenty of us still around, especially my friend Dotti. We worked and tried relentlessly to find you employment during your difficult times. I know you need this paycheck and you’re entitled to it as long as you are the Mayor. But do your job, and do it full time. Cut the righteous bull, there are still some of us who go way back and know the BS. We know where the bodies are buried and the secrets still kept.” This guy couldn’t buy a job, he has no skills so he needed people to give him a job and he couldn’t keep those jobs. Finch has forgotten where he came from but you sure told the truth on this one.
Lisa Parziale–putting aside your obvious distaste for Mayor Finch, why would a seemingly intelligent lady like yourself be willing to reelect someone who repeatedly and unabashedly violated the public’s trust? Joe Ganim may have done some very progressive things for Bridgeport during his tenure, but he lined his pockets every step of the way. Also make note of the fact he was never apologetic for his actions up until recently when he decided to set his sights on running for mayor again.
Finch’s fall has started, can’t wait ’til he’s led out of city hall in handcuffs. It’s coming.
Finch you self-righteous bastard. Maybe we should tighten the law and say anyone arrested and found guilty or pleads out should be barred from office. If that happened you would not be mayor and probably be a seasonal worker for the park department. I also know where the bodies are buried.
Andy I love you! I miss the people like you who served and called it like it is.
Mayor Finch is clearly frightened of Ganim. He served several years in the legislature and is in his eighth year as Mayor and suddenly he has an epiphany we need to pass a law banning individuals from seeking office. Who does he think he is fooling?
There was a time you could take a politician’s word to the bank and their staff would be fired on the spot for using their position to make promises they couldn’t or wouldn’t keep. The Mayor should be enforcing integrity for himself and his office before throwing stones. If you’re scared then buy a dog, if that doesn’t help get a gorilla. Great post to both Lisa and Andy.
Here he goes again in his Billy Pulpit. He wants to be Judge and Jury.
If there is an expert to tell us about public corruption, it is surely Bill Finch.
He is a Counterfeit Bill!
Next Finch will say anyone whose last name begins with a “G” shouldn’t run for mayor.
Bill Finch,
You formed a charter revision commission.
You hired their legal consultants.
You provided assistance from the City Attorney’s office.
And what did YOUR commission focus on?
Making the mayor more powerful.
Not a single word on corruption, ethics or checks and balances.
The people beat you back on that one. Remember?
You are a two-cases SOB.
If we are addressing existing reality and political morality, let’s look forward and pass State law that calls for all municipal and State elected officeholders as well as those ‘appointed’ to Boards and Commission in CT, statewide and local, to file a statement each year within 60 days of being places and/or within the month of January.
Such statement will record their legal address (with explanations for any clarifications necessary about such), their employment status responsible for 90% or more of their personal income, any potential conflicts they face between who they are and what they do, and a statement as to their willingness to take training, expect evaluation (for Board and Commission members), and annually take continuing education on ethics for those in public service.
Signed, dated, and consequences for going against the public trust. Is this positive course of action (expect the best, and get it) a better way to serve the public and protect it from greed, ambition, power abuse, etc. than prohibiting those who failed already? Time will tell.
That’s it John, shorter and to the point. Less space needed for extra adjectives, i.e. “greed, ambition, power abuse,” they are synonyms in Bridgeport and everybody already knows what that is with one adjective. Tighten it up a little, less legal-speak like at a meeting of trustees going over the budget or whatever. Lay it out there plain like so the folks in the overalls can get behind you. They are always the most honest in the bunch.
We need a reform bill that will ban city employees from serving on the Bridgeport City Council. How about that bill, Bill?
m.ctpost.com/news/article/Panel-PAC-that-aided-Finch-misused-funds-3332968.php
What a hypocrite. Under Finch, the City has hired more ex-felons than any mayor I can recall. Some have been promoted to supervisor positions even though they did NOT possess the education or experience or any other qualifications for the job. Finch’s justification was he believes in second chances.
Hey Bill, your employees know where the bodies are buried and we have no problem dropping a dime to Mayor Joe. What are you gonna do Bill, fire everyone? You must be getting very paranoid. You should be.
Mayor Finch appointed a convicted sex offender to the Ethics Commission and then hired the FUSE supervisor from Dunbar School at a cost of $90,000 per year, even though he was completely aware he had a convicted sex offender working with elementary school-age children and did nothing about it.
Mayor Finch is the ultimate hypocrite.
Hmmm. Can’t let that go by without at least saying Hmmm.
Someone must be spooked!
The 14th amendment gives everyone the right to vote and run for public office in CT.
Now try and get some sleep, Mayor Bill, but keep looking over your shoulders. Like Musto, your days are numbered.
This is a very gray area. I always use the same example. If a cashier is fired from her job she is not eligible for rehire. A convicted felon is a little, just a tad more serious. The state of Connecticut would do well to put a law in place as many other states already have. Whether individuals in the blogosphere think Mayor Finch is nervous or not isn’t relevant. What is relevant is we have an honest upstanding individual elected to all positions, further there should also be laws against politicians speaking in churches that receive financial support from the government. Men of the cloth should not be allowed to run for political office. You cannot serve two masters.
“Men of the cloth should not be allowed to run for political office” …
Well well, Steve …
Rev Moales Jr: member of the Board of Ed is seeking to have his name on the ballot for the upcoming special election for the State Senate seat in the 23rd District.
Rev. Charlie Stallworth: member of the State House.
Rev. Mary McBride-Lee: member of the City Council.
I’m sure there are others …
Are you calling on them to step down or away from elected office now?
Yes, I think that would be appropriate!
Stevie, should homosexuals be banned from office or teaching?
I am not sure if homosexuals get money from the government the way churches do. I do not think homosexuals are members of the same religion, I do not think homosexuals are just men or woman, I do think homosexuals are mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, Catholics and Jews, Muslims, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russians, Germans, etc. etc. etc. I do know Alexander the Great, Tchaikovsky, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Alan Turing and Ellen were homosexuals and I do not think homosexuals have pedophile tendencies any more than heterosexuals and priests; so no, I do not believe homosexuals should be banned from teaching or office. Nor do I think homosexuals should be banned from driving as they will be in Russia or they should spend life in prison because they were born and raised by a heterosexual family in Uganda but we’re gay. However, I do see a problem with reverends getting government money and preaching politics from the pulpit, I do not care what religion or what church in whatever city. I would not want to see a practicing Rabbi or a Muslim Cleric in office.
Mr. Fox, I hope my position is clear.
Wow. That was far-reaching. Man with a brain. That’s rare.
The clerics actually already have offices.
The obvious is Finch is doing this to protect “his mayoralty.” He is using an appeal to keep out the only person who could defeat him.
REGRETFULLY, his argument would be sound if it weren’t so obvious as to his motives.
Lisa, I told you years ago about this, yet you had me removed from the 132nd DTC. Hindsight is wonderful, isn’t it?
I don’t think anyone who commits a crime, serves their time, pays any and all fines or restitution, and re-registers to vote should be banned from seeking public office.
Is Mayor Finch’s position a public official who accepted a bribe in 2000 cannot run for office in 2015, however someone who was convicted of committing murder in 2000 would be able to seek public office in 2015?
Is that what he is saying?
Bob, duly noted!
Godiva, I appreciate your post. Until this past Thursday evening when I witnessed a plan initiated by the Mayor, my personal opinion of Bill was stellar. I may not agree with his politics, but that never stopping me from having esteem for him as a person. I don’t know who you are, but I hope you’re never a witness to what I was that evening. After serving for decades, I’m seriously thinking of leaving politics behind me. It may be time!
This is a tough crowd. I actually felt bad for Mayor Finch for a moment here. But the timing of this statement is too see-through. It is really in essence an attempt at public manipulation to keep Ganim out of the running for mayor. That may not be possible given the time it would take to get the public ban on the books. So it is the beginning of a smear campaign, and perhaps deservedly so. Though there is steering and manipulation to achieve a control of the office, it is still the minor leagues. Now the game is in rigging the ballot box with electronic voting. People who developed the electronic voting system have come out and exposed the fact. Though won’t catch on in the public mind because of the merger of state and corporate interests, who now own the media airways. Come on, at least get up with the times. Get a good election on and then rig the ballot boxes. At least at the local level a good maverick can jump out into view once in a while. Practice better vote manipulation, flip the results! It’s easy.
I agree with Mayor Finch on this point. I have stated for some time persons who have been convicted of public corruption should never be able to hold public office again. At the same time, Mayor Finch has a clear conflict on this issue. No surprise, it’s Bridgeport!
And the rest of us would like to see a lifetime ban on morons running for elected office.
Should have said “running” but what the heck!
BTW the terms “Felon” and “Moron” are not mutually exclusive.
Let’s ban all people with terminal dumbass from running for office. If we do that we can remove all sitting politicians and start over.
Let’s not forget it is the voters who make the choice on who they want and if they know that person is a felon they put into office that’s who they wanted then it’s okay.
Voter choice is limited by the names on the ballot. Historically that has meant Bridgeport voters are presented with a party nominee from the DTC, perhaps the RTC has found someone to run (or not) and other lines have opened up in recent elections like the WFP.
What this has come around to on a practical basis is registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in the City about 10-1. Other parties like WFP recently listed with fewer than 10 local members are in similar shape. DTC rules. Right?
Well these special elections are a different animal, because it is not merely one DTC and one RTC in a face-off. Rather it looks like a real scramble with “Democrats” of various stripes and persuasions. With the short campaign duration it looks more like a British election with multiple parties and time pressure. There is a real “multiple choice” in Black Rock, West End, and Brooklawn North this year. Time will tell.
Dave Walker, I agree with your points but not about Rick Torres. Rick Torres as a newly elected member of the City Council should have gone with his fellow freshman members to form a bond with them but he didn’t. Rick doesn’t know how to make friends and influence people, he doesn’t know how to lobby other members who could agree with his issues because he wants to be the shinning star. Council members and the public will not listen to Rick Torres what with his tattoo and his views about blacks.
Ron, you genuinely make me laugh, in a good way. I like the part where “Council members and the public will not listen to Rick Torres what with his tattoo and his views about blacks.” I’m hearing Eddie Murphy deliver that line in one of his characters from the Nutty Professor. But you are correct, Rick is very hard-headed and wants to shine. Let me borrow a line from Pink Floyd that you may know and say to Rick/Enrique, “shine on you crazy diamond” … Get mad and let em’ all have it, Enrique. Hey, when you’re in a fight, you always want the crazy guy in front of you. Be well.
How about a lifetime ban for inept politicians …
Ooops, now there’s an oxymoron.