Feds want to re-try Joe Bruno, Krokoff says alcohol in law enforcement is issue, GE innovations include tax avoidance, buzzer sounds on Jimmer's college career
Federal prosecutors have asked a federal appeals court to vacate Joe Bruno's conviction and allow a new trial on three fraud counts. One legal expert says a new trial is "almost a certainty." The appeal was prompted by the Supreme Court of the United States decision last year that the law under which Bruno was convicted -- the "theft of honest services" law -- is "unconstitutionally vague". In May 2010, Bruno was sentenced to two years in prison, a term that has yet to start. [Troy Record] [TU]
The word of the day at the Capitol yesterday with regard to the budget process: "optimism." There's was even talk of a hand-shake deal before the end of today. Even Sheldon Silver expressed "cautious optimism." One thing that reportedly won't be in the deal: the extension of the "millionaire's tax" for which many groups have been pushing -- Dean Skelos said the provision is "dead." [TU] [State of Politics] [Fox23] [YNN]
A man who grew up in Colonie alleges that three Catholic priests used him "pretty much like a child sex slave" starting around age 9. [TU]
Albany police chief Steven Krokoff yesterday on TALK 1300 about James Miller: "I think the bigger question is the alcohol involvement in law enforcement. It has become an issue and been an issue in our department. I think it is coming more towards the forefront now because of what is coming an intolerance amongst the rank and file for that kind of conduct amongst the rank and file." [YNN]
Says a woman selling her house in Albany's student ghetto: "I really feel bad for leaving the people that are still there ... I had sworn that they would take me out of there in a pine box, but I just couldn't do it anymore." Residents say a big part of the problem in the neighborhood is absentee or neglectful landlords. APD chief Krokoff also called attention to landlords in the neighborhood yesterday. [TU] [TU] [Fox23]
One person was shot in Schenectady's Mont Pleasant neighborhood last night (map). A neighbor says he heard arguing and then gun shots. Schenectady police say they've arrested two people. [Daily Gazette] [Fox23] [WTEN]
David Bradt, the Colonie man who pleaded guilty to raping four teen girls he met using Facebook, was sentenced to 13 years in prison. [TU] [Troy Record]
The family of the RPI student who was found dead of a gun shot in his Troy apartment two years ago was in court yesterday trying to get Troy police to release documents about the investigation into the death. [TU]
The body found in the water off Peebles Island has been identified and ruled a suicide. [Troy Record]
GE reported $5.1 billion in profits last year from operations in the US -- and paid no tax here. [NYT]
Now former-Congressman Scott Murphy racked up the House's fifth-biggest expense total last year. [Daily Gazette]
Local politics in action: You're out of order! No, you are! [TU]
The Ordway Research Institute in Albany has notified the state labor department it plans to layoff about a third of its employees. [TU]
The Palace Theater in Albany has a new executive director, who says he plans to bring more shows to the venue. [TU]
A Saratoga couple has donated 200 acres of undeveloped land to Skidmore, with a pledge of another 400 in the future. [TU]
Ken Screven is retiring after 33 years at WRGB. [CBS6]
Sports page
BYU lost to Florida 83-74 in the overtime in the Sweet Sixteen last night. Jimmer Fredette scored 32 -- but took 29 shots and was just 3-15 from 3-point range. Glens Falls still loves him. [ESPN] [Post-Star]
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Comments
In a statement tying his budget agenda to the newly-released census data, the governor (or a press aide) said:
"We must correct the trajectory of the state by changing the financial and operational paradigm of our government."
I'm sorry, but anyone using the phrase "operational paradigm" in a public statement should get a swift kick in the butt.
... said Bob on Mar 25, 2011 at 10:27 AM | link
The must read item this morning is NYT's GE tax article. Not enough is written about our corporate citizen's precedent-leading tactics that created an ongoing 25-year local manufacturing erosion.
... said Jeff S on Mar 25, 2011 at 10:41 AM | link
I used to be outraged at stories like this one on GE's creative accounting. I used up my outrage quota and now just replace the names of coporations and multi-billionaires with words like "unicorns" and "kittens". Try it; it's hard to be angry when "regulatory filings show that in the last five years, adorable puppies have accumulated $26 billion in American profits, and received a net tax benefit from the I.R.S. of $4.1 billion." or "Transforming the most creative strategies of the tax team into law is another extensive operation. Orphan baby deer spend heavily on lobbying: more than $200 million over the last decade".
... said B on Mar 25, 2011 at 11:38 AM | link
The article about GE shouldn't be surprising. Why would any company keep jobs/profits in the US and give up 35% when they can take the money to other (cheaper) countries and keep 100% of it? This disappointing thing is that Congress not only allows but facilitates practices like these.
... said Tim on Mar 25, 2011 at 12:05 PM | link
Hey- I have a hot job lead for ya
http://jobs.gecareers.com/job/Tripoli-Senior-Sales-Leader/955376/
... said Jeff S on Mar 25, 2011 at 12:48 PM | link