Before Cuomo, there was Paterson.
Before Paterson, there was Spitzer.
The Big Apple has been rotten for years.
It took 11 allegations of sexual harassment and an AG investigation to send Governor Andrew Cuomo packing. But New York’s problem is bigger than one man. He’s just the latest in a line of disgraced New York governors – all Democrats – who resigned due to scandal.
Before Cuomo, it was Governor David Paterson who dabbled in witness tampering and the unlawful solicitation of $60,000 in World Series tickets. Before Paterson, there was Spitzer and his prostitution scandal. According to the Washington Post, “Since the 2006 election, 18 people combined have served in [major statewide office] positions, and 11 of them ultimately succumbed to scandals.”
That’s over 60% of New York’s major statewide officeholders. But it’s not just New York that has problems with corruption.
Illinois gives the Empire State a run for its money. Resignations, you say? How about prison time. Since 1961, the state has had 11 governors – four of them wound up in the clink: most recently Former Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was caught “auctioning off” the vacated Senate seat of Barack Obama in 2008.
Heading south to Louisiana, where one former congressman liked to say “half of Louisiana is under water and the other half is under indictment.” When it comes to notable corrupt Louisiana politicians, there are too many to name – but Edwin Edwards is at the top of the list. Edwards was ultimately convicted on bribery and extortion charges that hounded him throughout his political career. He even ran with the slogan, “Vote for the crook, it’s important.”
Louisiana is bad, but Alabama is no southern belle, either. Montgomery has seen its share of scandals. Three of the last six governors were convicted: Robert Bentley (R), Don Siegelman (D) and Guy Hunt (R). State House speaker Mike Hubbard was also convicted of 12 felony violations; he used the office to illegally make $1.1 million in investments and income for his businesses.
Up north to New Jersey, where residents won’t forget Chris Christie’s “Bridgegate” anytime soon – it ended Christie’s once-promising career. And that’s just one of many recent scandals. According to the Post, “Three mayors and two state legislators were ensnared in a large-scale “Bid Rig III” bribery scandal in 2009,” which resulted in guilty pleas or convictions for more than 40 public officials and politically connected individuals.
Finally, there’s Rhode Island: small state, big corruption. It’s so bad that Providence, the state capital, has been given the nickname “Crimetown” (it’s also a popular podcast chronicling the state’s scandals). Buddy Cianci, Mayor of Providence from 1975 to 1984 and again from 1991 to 2002, resigned after being convicted of assault – but ran again and won. Cianci was later convicted again for racketeering.
[h/t Aaron Blake, Washington Post]
