Soares already has one politician's pelt on his trophy case - NYS Comptroller Alan Hevesi (D). He's looking to make a name for himself, and finding Spitzer was involved in wrongdoing may add additional luster to his position. The key is ridding Albany of corruption and Soares is in a position to take action:
All New Yorkers - on both sides of the aisle - and even the governor himself want this matter resolved. ASAP.Criminal liability is a high bar, but if there is wrongdoing, Soares will prosecute. Having Andy Cuomo's office assisting in gathering information isn't going to hurt. Cuomo's ambitions will also play a role as bringing down Spitzer can only further his own career objectives - to become governor of the state, just like his dad, Mario.
But it won't be, and can't be, until a full-blown probe of the affair - by someone with subpoena power and clear independence - systematically reviews the evidence, takes sworn testimony and lays out all the facts for the public.
Soares can do that.
He brought down Alan Hevesi, a fellow Democrat - as part of a deal in which the then-state comptroller pleaded guilty to a felony for using a state employee to drive his wife around.
Soares vowed to make public integrity a top priority. He has subpoena power.
And, incidentally, he's also made a deal with Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to work together on such cases. That may give him access to a mini-army of AG prosecutors and investigators.
So it's possible that Soares will uncover hard evidence answering the one question that is key to keeping state government running: Did Gov. Spitzer know anything about his aides' plot to smear Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, by having State Police spy on him?
Soares warned yesterday that any probe he undertakes would be limited: "It must be remembered that, while certain conduct may appear unethical or even immoral, the only issue for our consideration is to determine whether the conduct is of such regard that criminal liability can be assessed."
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