The New York State Culture of Corruption Gains Another Member

This time, it is former New York State Health Commissioner Antonia Novella, who is accused of stealing state services.

Former state Health Commissioner Antonia Novello was charged criminally Tuesday for allegedly misusing her office and stealing services from the state during her seven-year tenure as the state's top health official.
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Novello, 64, health commissioner from 1999 to 2006, pleaded not guilty in Albany County Court to a 20-count indictment, including four felony charges that she defrauded the government and offered false instruments.

The other counts, all misdemeanors, claim she stole state services. She could face a maximum of 12 years in prison if convicted on all counts, said Albany County District Attorney David Soares. Albany county Judge Stephen Herrick allowed her to be freed without bail but required her to surrender her passport.

In a report in January, the state Inspector General's Office alleged that Novello used state workers to provide personal services for her, including taking her on lavish shopping sprees and requiring workers to rack up about $50,000 in overtime to tend to her. The inspector general said she used state workers for such chores as buying her groceries, moving furniture and watering her plants.

Novello's tenure at the Health Department coincides with that of former Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (who later became governor), who once again failed to uncover corrupt state officials during his run as Attorney General. He too failed to uncover the massive corruption in the Comptroller's office and the growing pay to play pension scandals.

Novello's attorney, the well known Albany attorney E. Stewart Jones says that this matter could have been settled amicably. That's what he's supposed to say, but the corruption and theft of services is not something that can just be tossed aside by repayment. It was a series of criminal acts, and Novello is liable for them.

This all goes to the culture of corruption in Albany, where misbehavior is often ignored or excused. That must end, and it is up to the state's law enforcement officers - the attorney general and the local district attorneys to make it happen. It is also up to the voters, who continue to send repeat offenders to higher office, despite the corruption and ethical lapses. New York deserves better.

Also, keep in mind that Novello is being accused of substantially the same crime that former Comptroller Alan Hevesi entered a plea deal on. It seems that Albany politicians think it is perfectly acceptable to use state workers to run their personal chores and services, and that repayment isn't needed (or at least isn't needed until they're caught and charged in criminal court).

UPDATE:
The list goes on and on of ethical lapses and criminal acts by those politicians in Albany. The time to clean up the mess in Albany was years ago, but no one has bothered to heed the call.

UPDATE:
Soccer Dad emails to point out that Novella was a former Surgeon General of the United States and is the sister to none other than Father Guido Sarducci (Don Novella).