Senator Malcolm Smith
A quest to secure the Republican line in the New York City mayoral contest has instead sent NYS Senator Malcolm Smith hurtling out of the race and to jail.
Smith, along with five co-conspirators— including City Councilman Dan Halloran, vice chairman of the Queens County GOP Vince Tabone, Bronx GOP chair Joseph “Jay” Savino, Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin and Deputy Mayor Joseph Desmaret—was arrested on Tuesday after a multiple count indictment from the US Attorney’s office was issued, charging them with Conspiracy to Bribe New York City Political Party Officials, Wire Fraud, Hobbs Act Extortion – New York State Transportation Money, 4. Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud.
The dirty deal began to unfold when Smith, a registered Democrat, started laying out his plans to secure the Republican line in the upcoming race. The only legal route to do so is through the issuance of what is known as a
City Councilman Daniel Halloran
Wilson Pakula certificate, which is the written consent of three of the city’s five Republican party county chairmen.
But Smith, considered to be a long-shot to win the nomination of his own party—chose another route of approach to land on the Republican ticket —a series of illegal tactics including cash bribes and political favors.
It was just about 12 years ago when Mike Bloomberg switched over to the Republican line in order to avoid the stiff competition of the masses in the Democratic field.
Smith’s plan first enlisted the aide of City Councilman Dan Halloran to arrange for meetings with key Republicans to help in getting him on the ballot.
Vince Tabone
But Halloran was only one of the stops Smith along the corrupted political path.
Using money he secured from an undercover FBI agent posing as a wealthy real estate mogul, Smith allegedly arranged payoffs for the mayor and deputy mayor of Spring Valley for their cooperation, as well greasing the palms of Bronx GOP chairman Joseph “Jay” Savino and vice chairman of the Queens GOP Vince Tabone, both of whose official duties include among other things, endorsing candidates for public office, including New York City Mayor, and voting on Wilson Pakula certificates.
According to prosecutors, Halloran received $20,500 and the promise of a key position in the administration— either as a deputy mayor or ironically, deputy police commissioner— if Smith were elected, for his part in arranging meetings with alleged supporters, who turned out to be a cooperating witness and an undercover FBI agent. Savino and Tabone were both paid $40,000 in bribes for promising their support in securing
Jay Savino (left) was fired by the Clarkstown Town Board after his arrest on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud on Tuesday. Ed Cox, chairman of New York's GOP, called on Savino to step down in the wake of his arrest, but he hasn't yet.
the Wilson Pakula, with the promise of $40,000 more to come.
And as the ancillary axes begin to swing, City Council Speaker has stripped Halloran of his committee assignments and suspended his rights to administer funds in his district. The administration of such will now be handled with joint responsibility by the speakers office and the Queens Delegation Chair, Leroy Comrie.
Savino was fired from his position as a tax attorney for the Clarkstown Town Board and has been asked to step down as the Bronx chair, while Vince Tabone has resigned his position as Queens vice-chair.
Former Congressman Bob Turner has been called upon to take the helm of the Queens GOP if Phil Ragusa resigns. Turner is being touted as the only Republican who can repair the damages and bring integrity and honor back to the Queens GOP.
Strong reactions continue to circulate throughout inside Queens circles in light of the latest round of scandal to hit the borough and the already beleaguered Republican Party.
Among the most vocal remains Republican City Councilman Eric Ulrich. “I’ve said for more than a year that I believe the GOP leaders in Queens have been using the party as a corrupt enterprise by abusing the position of party leader and manipulating the process to line their own pockets,” Ulrich told The Forum in an interview. “I have a hard time believing that Phil Ragusa had no knowledge, first about former first vice chair Steve Graves, then about Estelle Cooper, now about Vince Tabone. It’s not the first
time I’ve called for Ragusa’s resignation but it should definitely be the last. The blatant corruption under his watch is sickening and it has to end.”
With regard to his council colleague, Ulrich said he fund the allegations hard to believe and very unsettling. “I know Dan to be a bright, hard-working and determined individual. If the allegations about him are true, it is very hurtful to me on a personal level but he will have to suffer the consequences of his actions.”
And as far as saving the face of the local Republican party, Ulrich says the only way to do that is to bring someone to lead the party with the integrity and the ability to bring peace and unity.
“There’s one man who can do that,” Ulrich said. “And his name is Bob Turner.”
In an interview with The Forum, Bob Turner said that after having read the charges in their entirety, he was “truly sickened.” Turner went on to say that, “It will take a long time to heal what has happened to the party as a result of this. While it is not my ambition, if I am asked to step in an pull things together, I will certainly act in the best interest of the Republican Party by doing just that.”
By Patricia Adams
