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Ethics Swept Under the Carpet

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Submitted By Andrea0710
Words 893
Pages 4
Andrea Page
BUS 317
Dr. Lindsey
April 30th, 2013
Ethics Swept Under the Carpet Uncovered
Most people are not surprised when a politician is dishonest. Since we were young adults we witnessed various times where leaders of America or men in power, were caught in a lie or a cover up. A sexual harassment investigation involving a New York Assemblyman, Vito Lopez, is waiting for a report by a government agency which could lead him to court. Not only are the sexual harassment charges unethical, but the way the whole situation was handled. Vito Lopez, an Assembly member, which is a legislative house in New York State, was accused of sexually harassing 4 woman altogether who worked on his staff. Lopez known as the flounder of various senior citizen programs such as Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Center, City- Wide for seniors and others deny accusations (assembly.state.ny.us). Around July 2012, complaints were filed on Lopez claiming unwelcomed physical conduct and verbal comments. Lopez was claimed to put his hand on a woman’s thigh and tried to move it upwards as far as possible. When the woman removed his hand he tried again. He was also accused of making verbal comments towards staff members about their physical appearance, bodies, attire, and private relationships. On one occasion, Lopez, “required” one woman to go with him to Atlantic City where he attempted to kiss her and put his hand between her thighs. She claimed she had to struggle to get him off her (Hakim 2012). Not only is Lopez under investigation with New York State Ethics regulators, but so is Speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver. Silver agreed to settle the issue under the table with a $103,000 check to two of the women and their lawyers out of taxpayer’s money. Thomas DiNapoli, state comptroller signed the check without asking any questions. This write-off was not made public (Editorial, 2012). According to Title VII, it states sexual harassment as unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, physical, visual, and conduct of a sexual nature (BOOK). The type of sexual harassment this case deals with is hostile environment sexual harassment. In order for a case to constitute sexual harassment, two requirements must be shown in order for the plaintiff to be successful. First, the sexual conduct must be unwelcomed. Second, the behavior must be so severe or pervasive that it creates an intimating, hostile, or offensive working environment (BOOK). Although it is sometimes hard to prove certain acts where there is no witness or another party involved, Assembly’s ethics committee found the claims to be credible. Upon this, Silver, Assembly’s Speaker, removed Lopez as chairman of Assembly’s housing committee, reduced his staff size, barred him from employing interns or anyone under 21 years age, and denied him perquisites he accrued based on seniority (Hakim 2012). The Joint Commission on Public Ethics investigated the Lopez case and issued a Substantial Basis Investigation Report to the Legislative Ethics commission for review (Hakim 2013). The Joint Commission on Public Ethics is an agency created by The Public Integrity Reform Act of 2011. They were created to reform the over sight and regulation of ethics and lobbying in New York State (jcope.ng.gov). Legislative Ethics Commission has not released the report but by law they have 90 days to act. If they do not release the report the Joint Commission has the right to do so. The due date is May 21st (Hakim 2013). Lopez’s lawyer Daniel Donovan put a hold on the report to buy time for his own inquiry (Hakim 2013). As for Silver, the responsible party that issued the check for $103,000 admits he mishandled the case by not sending the complaints to the Assembly Ethics Committee (Roy 2012). Now Senators are questioning the term years and wanting a limit. Senator Joe Griffo said controversy shows the need for term limits on the most powerful office in Albany. Republican State Chairman Ed Cox and others would like for Silver to step down as Speaker (Roy 2012). Since the Assembly’s ethics committee found the claims to be credible, I believe Lopez will end up in court facing sexual harassment charges. Lopez was not only accused once but twice with two woman each time. As a legislative branch of New York, there should be policies that have a one chance or zero tolerance rule against harassment or discrimination. As for the hiding of the pay-off, Silver should also have to step down. Legislative should consist of truthful, honest people and rules should be strict on their members because of the unenforced term life, benefits, and salary. As a taxpayer I would not mind paying taxes for high salaries as long as they did their job right and just.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/nyregion/assemblyman-vito-lopez-censured-for-sexual-harassment.html http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/01/nyregion/ethics-panel-vows-to-release-report-on-vito-lopez-in-harassment-inquiry.html http://www.jcope.ny.gov/about/jurisdiction.html http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Vito-J-Lopez/bio/ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/31/opinion/the-sexual-bully-in-albany.html?ref=ethics&_r=1& http://newyork.newsday.com/news/new-york/silver-scandal-renews-calls-for-term-limits-1.4039584

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