Newell Asks Silver to Join Other Candidates in Financial Disclosure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2008 

New York, NY - Coming on the heels of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's ally and petitioning partner State Senator Martin Connor's recent pledge to disclose his tax returns, Paul Newell called on Silver to explain to voters why he's the only State Legislative candidate in Lower Manhattan's September 9^th Democratic primary who refuses to do so.  Silver's refusal is particularly suspicious as his second job -- at New York State's largest personal injury law firm -- prompts the most questions.

"Why not do it?" Senator Connor mused to the Downtown Express, after announcing he wouldn't hide his outside income from voters.  "Excellent question, Senator" Newell remarked.  "I encourage you to ask it of your colleague in the Assembly, Speaker Sheldon Silver."  Newell, a Community Organizer who released his tax returns in March, is challenging Sheldon Silver in the Lower Manhattan's 64^th Assembly District.  Silver has not faced a primary challenge in twenty-two years.

Outside sources of income for legislators and their families have come under increasing scrutiny after recent revelations about CMA Consulting's questionable relationship with legislators.  Both Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's son and Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman David Gantt - a close ally of Speaker Sheldon Silver - have both been implicated in suspect dealings with the state contractor.

Earlier this year Sheldon Silver came under fire after he appointed his financial benefactor and boss Arthur Luxenberg to a seat at a powerful judicial screening board.  Silver has received undisclosed payments for undisclosed work from Luxenberg's law firm, Weitz & Luxenberg, PC for years.  After those reports, the Village Voice asked "Does Silver have anything to hide? A response to Newell's charges from Silver's office has not yet been forthcoming."  More than three months later, Silver has yet to respond.

"The culture of secrecy in Albany must end," Newell said to a crowd of supporters on Sunday.  "When lawmakers can receive outside income in secret payments, it will inevitably lead to compromising positions."  Noting that Senator Connor and his challenger Daniel Squadron have both pledged to release their tax returns, Newell said, "It is long past time for Speaker Silver to come clean to the people of Lower Manhattan about who he really works for."  Echoing Senator Connor's question, Newell asked "Why not, Mr. Speaker?"

###

Albany Times-Union: Good timing for good deal http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=694621&category=STATE&newsdate=6/9/2008

Village Voice: Challenger to Shelly Silver: Show Us Your Money http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2008/03/challenger_shel.php

Downtown Express: In big upset, D.I.D. backs Squadron over Connor http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_266/inbigupset.html