Yatauro CYA over Corbin's alleged resignation

[Yatauro observer]

Another example of the Nassau Democratic dishonesty is how one citizen spoke out at the Nassau County Legislature and had the courage to correctly criticize Yatauro for allowing Legislator Roger Corbin to head the Finance Committee.

After the gentleman spoke, Yatauro covered her ass by halting the public hearing to announce to the media that Corbin had resigned the post.

My hat's off to the citizen as if he had not appeared at the Legislature and correctly pointed out the conflict, it is quite likely that Yatauro would have left Corbin in his post as head of the Nassau Finance Committee for the Nassau County Legislature.

[County lawyer]

I was there and to the best of my knowledge it was never announced that Corbin had resigned his post as Chair of the Nassau County Legislature's Finance Committee. I do not know the young man who spoke, but he was spot on regarding the outrage of Corbin continuing to head the Committee.
What was inexcusable was that Yatauro tried to shut the young man down from speaking in public regarding this matter. The man correctly pointed out that Corbin was presumed innocent but with the serious charges against him, Corbin threatened to diminish the integrity of the Legislature. Only then did Yatauro realize this guy had hit the Democratic controlled Legislature with a direct hit.

Then Yatauro asks to pause the meeting - runs over to the media to announce Corbin's resignation.

Who was the guy who spoke out? Is he a lawyer?

[News 12 viewer]

I just saw a report on News 12 that only announced Corbin's resignation from the post. No mention of the citizen speaking to the Legislature on the News12 afternoon report?

[Nassau Dem supporter]

Trust me - Suozzi has a lot of sway over News coverage. Suozzi is still the big dog in Mineola and that makes Yatauro someone to respect.

[Newsday everyday]

Newsday.com
Corbin back at Legislature: 'I'm here to do my job.'
BY WILLIAM MURPHY AND SID CASSESE

william.murphy@newsday.com. sid.cassese@newsday.com

1:53 PM EDT, May 18, 2009

On Monday, Legis. Roger Corbin made his first Nassau County Legislative appearance since his arrest last week for alleged income-tax evasion.

Reporters were barred from the dais as Democrats entered from their caucus room in the rear of the chambers, and the presiding officer, Legis. Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove), called the meeting to order before Republicans had a chance to enter from their caucus room on the other side.

"Nobody bothered to tell us it was starting," the minority leader, Legis. Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa), said as he came out of the GOP caucus room.

Before Schmitt and the Republicans could be seated, Corbin (D-Westbury) made a short statement, saying: "I want to tell my constituency that I'm here to do my job. I would never do anything to embarrass you."

Each of the legislators has a flat-screen monitor at their position, and Corbin's blocked the lower half of his face from the view of the audience. He said little during the morning part of the session. Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick) came over at one point, put his hand on Corbin's shoulder and spoke briefly. Other lawmakers and staff members, Democrats and Republicans, privately offered Corbin words of encouragement.

A Rockville Centre man who is a frequent critic of county budget practices, Michael Mulhall, said during the public comment session of the meeting that Corbin should recuse himself from any financial deliberations.

But Yatauro ruled his comments out of line because they did not deal with anything on the legislative agenda.

Yatauro said last week that Corbin has "stepped aside" as chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Minority Affairs.

During the session, a photographer was blocked by a Nassau County police officers from going on the dais, where reporters and photographers are usually granted free access.

"To limit distractions today we have asked the press representatives to leave the platform area behind the legislators for just members and staff," Yatauro said in a statement released by her office. "We have an intense lengthy agenda that we need to focus on."

Corbin, 62, has vowed to keep his seat and run for re-election despite his arrest on federal charges that he evaded taxes on money he took from the developer of a New Cassel housing project and lied to federal agents about it.

The developer, who sources have identified as Ranjan Batheja of Dix Hills, gave Corbin 81 checks made out to cash between 2005 and 2007, say court documents. Batheja hasn't been charged.

If convicted on all charges, Corbin, of Westbury, could face up to 11 years in prison and be ordered to pay more than $70,000 in back taxes, plus interest and penalties, along with $1 million in fines.

Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.

[Yatauro & Pelosi]

Yatauro pulled a Pelosi saying Corbin resigned from the Finance Committee last week. She made that up. Yatauro and Corbin never made that public if it did occurr.

[Corbin Yatauro]

Newsday.com
Roger Corbin: 'I will not resign'
BY ROBERT E. KESSLER AND CARL MACGOWAN

10:33 PM EDT, May 13, 2009

A defiant Nassau Legis. Roger Corbin vowed yesterday to keep his seat and run for re-election despite his arrest last week on federal charges that he evaded taxes on money he took from the developer of a New Cassel housing project and lied to federal agents about it.

Reading from a prepared statement in an unemotional tone, Corbin told reporters outside the State Supreme Court building in Mineola that he not only will vigorously oppose the felony charges in federal court, but he plans to run for re-election in November.

"I intend to continue in office and to stand for election in November. I am proud of my record of public service. I will not resign," said Corbin, who has been in the county legislature since it opened in 1995.

"The government has chosen to pick a fight with me, and so a fight they shall have," he said.

Nonetheless, political sources said Wednesday that the Democratic Party will not nominate Corbin to run for re-election, forcing him to run in a primary race if he wants to be the Democratic candidate in his district.

Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs would only say that the issue would "come to a head" before the party's nominating convention on May 28. "We haven't made any decision," Jacobs said. "I am definitely having conversations with Roger and I understand his feelings in the matter, but of course, we're going to take a look at what's best for the party as a whole."

Corbin said he had not committed any crimes, but had only made unspecified "mistakes."

Corbin was charged last week by prosecutors with failing to report $226,000 from a developer who was working on government urban renewal contracts in New Cassel in his district.

The developer, who sources have identified as Ranjan Batheja of Dix Hills, gave Corbin 81 checks made out to cash between 2005 and 2007, say court documents. Batheja hasn't been charged. His attorney has not returned calls seeking comment.

Corbin said he would have settled the tax issue with federal authorities but was not given an opportunity to do so.

"If there is a tax due, we will agree to pay it. This matter should have been resolved civilly a long time ago and as a personal, private matter," he said.

Corbin didn't directly address charges by prosecutors that he lied about how he had spent the money; according to court documents, Corbin claimed falsely that much of it went to people who are now deceased.

After reading his statement, Corbin declined to answer any questions about the case, including why, as federal prosecutors allege, he would have accepted money from a developer working in his district.

Corbin's attorney, Thomas Liotti of Garden City, who stood alongside his client at the news conference, said Corbin was targeted by federal officials because he is a high-profile person representing a minority district.

Liotti argued that the government deliberately generated undue publicity about the case. "Clearly this is being done to embarrass and prejudice a fair review of the facts and the circumstances of this case," he said.

Robert Nardoza, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in the Eastern District, declined to comment.

If convicted on all charges, Corbin, 62, of Westbury, could face up to 11 years in prison and be ordered to pay more than $70,000 in back taxes, plus interest and penalties, along with $1 million in fines.

Corbin maintained Wednesday that he continued to have the "unwavering" support of the other legislators.

Wednesday afternoon, legislative Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove) said Corbin "is focusing on his legal issue and has stepped aside as chair of his three committees - Finance, Minority Affairs and Veterans - after announcing his fight to clear his name."

Yatauro said she would not name new chairmen anytime soon. "Roger is staying on the committees, and we want him to do so," she said.

Staff writers Sid Cassese and Celeste Hadrick contributed to this story.

Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.

[Bullspit Maan]

Check out the end of the story. While Yatauro states that Corbin resigned his chairmanship from the three committees including Finance, she stated
May 13, 2009 in the Newsday column:

"Yatauro said she would not name new chairmen anytime soon. "Roger is staying on the committees, and we want him to do so," she said."

Staff writers Sid Cassese and Celeste Hadrick contributed to this story.

Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.

[Yatauro Two Way Hockey]

Well - what is it? Is Corbin still the Chair? Why is Corbin still on the Finance Committee while under investigation by the Federal District Attorney's Office?

This is an outrage!

[Yatauro Corbin]

Check out the end of the story. While Yatauro states that Corbin resigned his chairmanship from the three committees including Finance, she stated
May 13, 2009 in the Newsday column:

"Yatauro said she would not name new chairmen anytime soon. "Roger is staying on the committees, and we want him to do so," she said."

Staff writers Sid Cassese and Celeste Hadrick contributed to this story.

Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.

In the end, Corbin stays on the Finance Committee? This is unacceptable as what changes? Nothing. Corbin should recuse himself from the Finance committee.

[Retired Justice]

I just saw a report on News 12 that only announced Corbin's resignation from the post. No mention of the citizen speaking to the Legislature on the News12 afternoon report?

Just watch the evening edition of Scott Feldman's report from Mineola. It is pretty obvious from the report as Feldman and News 12 highlighted that Mike Mulhall of Rockville Centre as a "frequent critic of Nassau Budget practices" was being pressured by Yatauro to stop speaking on the topic, but Mulhall persisted forcing Yatauro to then make the statement that Corbin was out as Chairman. However the threads here at lipolitics are correct as Corbin remains on the Finance Committee.

Why would Yatauro retain Corbin giving the serious elements of the charges?
The Nassau Democrats are courting political trouble during an election year with the County facing dire fiscal problems. Yatauro did not handle today's situation very well. Mulhall had every right as a taxpaying citizen to voice his outrage with Corbin. The Nassau Legislature under Yatauro has become elitist unwilling to take criticism from the taxpayers who pay there salary.

[Mineola bystander]

Notice how the media miss the whole point? This person Mulhall had it right. Corbin is said to have resigned as Chairman, yet Yatauro openly admits Corbin will continue to sit on this prestigious and important committee. Yatauro also admits she will not name a new chair.

What changed?

Nothing.

[Nassau County Civic Assoc]

For the good of Nassau County, Roger Corbin should at least resign from the Finance committee. The People of Nassau County deserve better. Yes, Roger Corbin is presumed innocent until proven guilty, however this distraction will make it difficult to conduct the People's work as the criminal charges are relating to fiscal issues.

Should Roger Corbin resign as a legislator? Roger knows the answer.

www.nassaucivic.org

[Unregistered787878]

Unless Roger Corbin knows in his heart and mind that he did not commit a crime, he should resign. His party should discuss what he did and ask him to step down if he is guilty -- not wait for a costly, long drawn out trial, which demeans all of us Nassau County residents.

[Unregistered123456]

its the Chairman's job to have Roger step down not any of the people who work with him.. Jay Jacobs is the one... holding all the strings

[Suozzi-Corbin]

Newsday.com
Corbin's lawyer calls for order to bar perp walk images
BY CELESTE HADRICK

celeste.hadrick@newsday.com

10:39 PM EDT, May 19, 2009

The attorney for Nassau Legis. Roger Corbin, accused of evading taxes on $226,000 he allegedly received from a developer in his district, is asking a federal judge to bar photographs and videos of the Westbury Democrat in handcuffs, contending the images are prejudicial.

Garden City lawyer Thomas Liotti on Tuesday asked for an order to permanently "enjoin, restrain and stop" Newsday, News 12, and the U.S. government from publishing or broadcasting images of Corbin during his "perp walk," when prosecutors allow the media to photograph and film a criminal defendant after arrest.

PHOTOS: Roger Corbin arrested and through the years

Liotti wrote in his motion to the court that his request could be considered "a prior restraint of speech." But, he continued, "it is clearly warranted in this case as Mr. Corbin's opportunity for a fair trial has not only been jeopardized by the actions of the government and the media, it has been totally negated."

A hearing is scheduled today at the federal courthouse in Central Islip.

Local experts say it is unlikely that Liotti will be successful in his attempt to stop the images.

Leon Friedman, professor of constitutional law at Hofstra Law School, said the United States Supreme Court decided many years ago "at the very extreme there are some circumstances where you might gag the press, but you have to try everything else first."

He said the judge will ask jurors before trial if they have seen anything about the case and will instruct them to ignore any prior impressions.

Robert Gottlieb, a defense attorney who recently served on a state task force on wrongful convictions, said Liotti's request will likely be denied under past practices.

"However, the suit has undeniable merit and, in fact, perp walks should be banned completely," Gottlieb said. "They should be banned because they are without question intended to influence potential jurors who come from the public . . . There is no good reason for parading a person who is presumed innocent in handcuffs before the viewing public."

Federal agents arrested Corbin two weeks ago and charged him with failing to report on his federal income taxes the money he received from a developer in his district and then lying to agents about the situation.

Newsday had no comment on the lawsuit. A spokeswoman for News 12 could not be reached.

PHOTOS: Roger Corbin arrested and through the years

Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.

[NEWSDAY SUCKS!!]

The video posted in today's SNOOZEDAY is priceless!!! It shows Suozzi trying to speak his piece and he's being heckled by an angry mob holding up signs. There he is, though, smiling, as if everything is honkydory!! I wish I could post it here, but not that savoy. Check it out. It's worth the laughh!

[Unregisteredue]

The video posted in today's SNOOZEDAY is priceless!!! It shows Suozzi trying to speak his piece and he's being heckled by an angry mob holding up signs. There he is, though, smiling, as if everything is honkydory!! I wish I could post it here, but not that savoy. Check it out. It's worth the laughh!

I saw it on Newsday.com's website. The angry mob was scary. It was really ugly.

[Corrupt Corbin]

What a piece of crap? I thought Corbin was claiming he is a target because of his ethnicity / color. That the allegations / indictment against him, Legislator Roger Corbin are false because the Federal Authorities were seeking to prosecute a African American / Black politician when our U.S. President and U.S. Attorney General are both African American / Black.

Ut-oh!

Newsday.com
Corbin lawyer asks U.S. attorney general to intercede
BY ROBERT E. KESSLER

robert.kessler@newsday.com

10:23 PM EDT, May 21, 2009

The attorney for Nassau County Legis. Roger Corbin has sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asking him to to intercede in his client's case to order criminal charges dropped in favor of a civil settlement.

The letter sent by the lawyer, Thomas Liotti of Garden City, effectively asks for the elimination of possible jail time. The settlement would call just for the repayment of back taxes, plus possible financial penalties.

Corbin has been charged with evading income tax on $226,000 prosecutors say he received from a developer working on government projects in his district, and then lying to federal agents about the situation. He has pleaded not guilty but conceded he may have made "mistakes" in the matter.

Liotti's letter likens Corbin's situation to that of a several people considered for positions in the Obama administration, including former Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle, his nomination as secretary of health, and Timothy Geithner, the Treasury secretary.

Liotti said that Daschle did not disclose more than $300,000 in income and ended up paying $140,000 in back taxes. Geithner had failed to pay more than $40,000 in payroll taxes when he worked for the International Monetary Fund, Liotti said.

"The purpose of this letter is to request your immediate intervention into this matter so that it may be taken out of the criminal justice areba and disposed of civilly," Liotti wrote. "We are simply asking for fairness and equal treatment."

Liotti's letter did not address the fact that neither Daschle or Geithner was accused of lying to federal agents.

It is rare for an attorney general to intercede in a local prosecution.

A spokesman for Holder could not be reached immediately for comment.

Robert Nardoza, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in the Eastern District, which is prosecuting Corbin, declined to comment.

Copyright © 2009, Newsday Inc.

[Kenny Rogers]

Read the Federal Complaint against Nassau County Legislator Roger Corbin courtesy of the Long Island Business News:

http://libn.com/blog/2009/05/06/nassau-legislator-arrested-for-fraud/

[Nassau Hypocrite]

Just when you think Roger Crobin will remain silent, he opens his trap to profess his innocence. This just a week after his lawyer, Liotti sought to have photographs and video of Corbin's perp walk banned from use by Cablevision's News 12 and Cablevision's Newsday newspaper.

If I was a registered Democrat, especially one seeking re-election in Nassau County, I would be alarmed by the political complacency that believes the public will give Nassau Democrats the benefit of the doubt this November.

Roger Corbin is likely to cost Nassau Democrats control of the Nassau County Legislature. The other scenario that has longer odds but is quite plausible and Tom Suozzi's worst nightmare, is the liklihood that Corbin's persistence to remain politically viable will jeopardize Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice re-election campaign.

Democrat / Republican / Conservative / Liberal and Right to Life all strongly dislike and more importantly disapprove of Political Corruption and will vote swiftly to remove Kathleen Rice and replace her with a political nobody such as Joy Watson. Bank on it!

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-pocorb2812811168may27,0,3097554.story

[Kenny Rogers]

Just when you think Roger Crobin will remain silent, he opens his trap to profess his innocence. This just a week after his lawyer, Liotti sought to have photographs and video of Corbin's perp walk banned from use by Cablevision's News 12 and Cablevision's Newsday newspaper.

If I was a registered Democrat, especially one seeking re-election in Nassau County, I would be alarmed by the political complacency that believes the public will give Nassau Democrats the benefit of the doubt this November.

Roger Corbin is likely to cost Nassau Democrats control of the Nassau County Legislature. The other scenario that has longer odds but is quite plausible and Tom Suozzi's worst nightmare, is the liklihood that Corbin's persistence to remain politically viable will jeopardize Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice re-election campaign.

Democrat / Republican / Conservative / Liberal and Right to Life all strongly dislike and more importantly disapprove of Political Corruption and will vote swiftly to remove Kathleen Rice and replace her with a political nobody such as Joy Watson. Bank on it!

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-pocorb2812811168may27,0,3097554.story


"Honestly, I don't know how to do something wrong" ....Uhmm. Really Legislator Roger Corbin?

How about the uhm $100,000 in gambling losses? Gambling and Legislating wouln't be included in that previous statement would it? Or "Structuring"?
Newsday's story "Corbin on defense" is very weak and is a disservice to the Nassau County taxpayers. All the reporter had to do was read the complaint? Or is it yet another example of the News Editor knocking out the essentials from the story to provide cover to Nassau Democrats?

[charliejhynesalum]

.

Roger Corbin is likely to cost Nassau Democrats control of the Nassau County Legislature. The other scenario that has longer odds but is quite plausible and Tom Suozzi's worst nightmare, is the liklihood that Corbin's persistence to remain politically viable will jeopardize Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice re-election campaign.

Democrat / Republican / Conservative / Liberal and Right to Life all strongly dislike and more importantly disapprove of Political Corruption and will vote swiftly to remove Kathleen Rice and replace her with a political nobody such as Joy Watson. Bank on it!



Watson isn't Suozzi's worst nightmare, but she is Rice's.

Rice's key people started job hunting while she was lobbying for appointment to the top job at EDNY. (Schumer quickly realized what a lightweight she is, and what the desertion rate of administrators and line AUSAs would be if she got the position.)

Some of them are now quietly seeking out landing places in case she goes down in November. Her sights are clearly on her next move, NY AG after Cuomo.

[Dems Down on Yats]

Just watch the evening edition of Scott Feldman's report from Mineola. It is pretty obvious from the report as Feldman and News 12 highlighted that Mike Mulhall of Rockville Centre as a "frequent critic of Nassau Budget practices" was being pressured by Yatauro to stop speaking on the topic, but Mulhall persisted forcing Yatauro to then make the statement that Corbin was out as Chairman. However the threads here at lipolitics are correct as Corbin remains on the Finance Committee.

Why would Yatauro retain Corbin giving the serious elements of the charges?
The Nassau Democrats are courting political trouble during an election year with the County facing dire fiscal problems. Yatauro did not handle today's situation very well. Mulhall had every right as a taxpaying citizen to voice his outrage with Corbin. The Nassau Legislature under Yatauro has become elitist unwilling to take criticism from the taxpayers who pay there salary.

Influential Dems in Mineola are grumbling about Yatauro's strange decisions as Presiding Officer. They point to the Corbin matter as yet another example that she may be in over her head. Judy's support for Yatauro is fading quickly as the more seasoned officials are recognizing the charges of hypocrisy now that Democrats are defending that which they once criticized.

[UnregisteredinWoodbury]

If memory serves me right, Ms. Jacobs waded through the same mess with Patrick Williams, she had to smile and wait. Ms. Yatauro will have to do the same with Roger Corbin. Everyone was hoping Mr. Corbin would step down on June 1, allowing a special election, but as of tonight it appears that's not happening. So the party is left to work out the details. Your information is off base, the remaining 9 are tighter than ever, let's face it, it is an election year! This may be a tough patch with Mr. Corbin, BUT the race in the 3rd may get the Dems an 11th seat! The stunt pulled by the Reps made its way to You Tube, and the State Dems are getting behind Ms. Bastardi! My guess is the 10-9 stays with Ms. Yatauro as Presiding Officer, with an outside chance that Mr. Ciotti loses his seat because of a mistep by his party. This should prove to be an interesting season.

[thank u nina]

and thanks chris b!