In the latest tempest over Alan Hevesi’s tenure as state comptroller, successor Thomas DiNapoli this afternoon released a statement that is unusual if only for its awkward effort to distance him from his predecessor — while also taking the “let-the-probe-take-its-course” tack.
Following on the heels of a Times story over the weekend that raised the possibility that Hevesi’s two sons and longtime adviser Hank Morris benefitted in still-undisclosed ways from state pension fund business, the Post reported that relevant documents were destroyed or disappeared early in DiNapoli’s tenure.
“It is apparent,” DiNapoli states, “that former Comptroller Hevesi and others on his staff engaged in unethical, irresponsible and possibly criminal activity.”
He also identifies “David Loglisci, who served as deputy comptroller for Pension Investment and Cash Management” as having a desk from which “certain records were missing.” Copies were compiled and provided to the Albany district attorney, DiNapoli said.
“It’s unfortunate that some individuals close to the investigation have chosen to compromise it by disclosing sensitive information,” DiNapoli said — although the Post based the thrust of its report on “a source close to DiNapoli’s office.”
The full statement is below.
"Since I took office following the Hevesi scandal, I have been cooperating with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General. It is apparent that former Comptroller Hevesi and others on his staff engaged in unethical, irresponsible and possibly criminal activity."
"This spring, I accepted the resignation of David Loglisci, who served as deputy comptroller for Pension Investment and Cash Management under Alan Hevesi. Shortly after Loglisci’s resignation, my staff discovered certain records were missing from Loglisci’s desk. We immediately informed District Attorney Soares and began work to recover these documents. Within a short time, we compiled copies of nearly all the missing documents and delivered them to the District Attorney. "
"District Attorney Soares requested that I limit my comments to protect the integrity of the investigation, and I have complied. It’s unfortunate that some individuals close to the investigation have chosen to compromise it by disclosing sensitive information. The focus should be on concluding this investigation and prosecuting any wrongdoing. "
"We will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement officials to ensure that any wrongdoing by the Hevesi administration is uncovered and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
"Fortunately, the state pension fund remains strong and the benefits for the one million pension fund members are secure. The pension fund is and will continue to be one of the best funded and managed public pension funds in the U.S."
"We are aggressively continuing our own internal review as we cooperate with District Attorney Soares and the Attorney General’s office. I’ve implemented several reforms to ensure that corrupt individuals cannot game the system for their own benefit."
"The people of New York deserve better than what they got under Alan Hevesi. My priority since taking office has been to restore integrity and ethics to the State Comptroller’s Office. I will make sure that New Yorkers can once again have confidence and trust in this office."