|
ALBANY----Apologizing to the voters and his family, state comptroller Alan Hevesi resigned from office Friday and pleaded guilty to defrauding the government for his use of state employees to act as drivers and companions for his wife in a scandal which became known as "Chauffeurgate".
Hevesi, 66, a Queens Democrat, appeared in Albany County Court Friday morning before Judge Stephen Herrick, pleading guilty to the class E felony and admitted that he had had no intention of repaying the government for use of the state employees for personal matters until it became an issue during his campaign for reelection.
"I did not plan to reimburse the state. I plead guilty, sir". He admitted that he had used a state employee to provide services for his wife that "could not be properly characterized as security".
The plea deal ends a four-month investigation. In agreeing to plead guilty and resigning, Hevesi will not serve any jail time and will pay a $5,000 fine. He has also waived his right to an appeal. He could have faced from 1 1/3 to four years in state prison. He must also submit a DNA sample to the state's databank.
He will be formally sentenced on Feb. 9.
He has already repaid over $206,000 to the state.
Prior to appearing in court, Hevesi had his mug shot taken and was fingerprinted.
Hevesi's resignation ends his 35-year career in public service. He is the first elected statewide executive branch official to be forced from office in the state since Governor William Selzer was impeached in 1913.
Hevesi has been state comptroller since January 2003 and earned an annual salary of $151,500. Hevesi's career in public service began in 1968 as a state Assemblyman, a position he held until he was elected comptroller of New York City in 1993. He was elected to the state comptroller's post in the 2002 election.
"I want to apologize to the people of New York State who have given me the opportunity to serve them," Hevesi said after a morning court appearance. "I want to apologize to the 2,400 professionals who work in the comptroller's office, maybe an unprecedented job, and I want to apologize to my family who have been so strong and loving during this process, and I wish you all a happy holiday".
Albany County district attorney David Soares said it was a "sad day" and "tragic end to what was once distinguished career".
Hevesi's resignation was effective immediately and until a new state comptroller is named, First Deputy Comptroller Thomas Sanzillo will perform the duties of the state's chief financial officer.
The state Ethics Commission found that Hevesi acted knowingly and intentionally to improperly use a state employee to chauffeur his ill wife for over three and half years. Only after allegations were made against Hevesi during the election campaign in September did Hevesi admit through a spokesman for his office, that Nicholas Aquifredda, an employee of the state comptroller's office, had been a driver for Mrs. Hevesi for the last three and a half years at taxpayers' expense, from March 2003, less than three months into Hevesi's term of office, until a few months ago.
During Aquifredda's testimony before the Grand Jury last week, he admitted that in addition to transporting Carol Hevesi to doctor's appointments, he took her to Bloomingdale's, hair appointments, watered her flowers and performed other personal services for her.
In the days before the election, Hevesi apologized for what he called a serious error of providing a "belated" reimbursement but insisted he had not violated any laws and said he had no intention of resigning. 12-22-06
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed by anyone without the express written permission of the publisher. This article is copyright protected.
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
|
