We left off last night with a picture (below) of Joe Bruno and Eliot Spitzer that seemed to speak a thousand words, and the morning brings the thousand words.
The NY Post reports that aides to Gov. Spitzer have been involved in plotting with aides to Senate Democratic Minority Leader Malcolm Smith to try to get Bruno in trouble with the IRS for his use of the state airfleet, which of course was the Spitzeraide obsession that got Troopergate going in the first place.
The plot apparently advanced to the point of a few Dem senators signing the accusatory letter. This morning, Bruno has issued a statement. He says that Smith stopped the letter but has fessed up that his office was involved, and confirmed that Spitzer's office was at the center of it. The statement (full text after jump) is ambiguous about Spitzer's personal involvement, but clear that Joe holds Eliot responsible:
"This latest revelation confirms that Governor Spitzer and his subordinates
continue to obsess with efforts to personally attack me and have no
interest in governing."
STATEMENT BY BRUNO (via Azi)
Yesterday, I was informed that Senate Minority Leader Smith had
circulated a letter to his members directing them to contact the IRS for
the sole purpose of engaging in more political dirty tricks to damage me
personally.
Senator Smith called me last night to confirm that his office had
written the letter, but that he stepped in to stop it. He also informed me
that Spitzer administration officials were involved in this plot and that
other similar dirty tricks were planned, the IRS effort being just one.
This latest revelation confirms that Governor Spitzer and his subordinates
continue to obsess with efforts to personally attack me and have no
interest in governing.
I have convened the Senate twice and will convene a third time on
October 22nd in an effort to move an agenda that focuses on property tax
relief for seniors, encouraging economic development, and capital
investments to help businesses create jobs. Despite his recent comments,
it’s clear that Governor Spitzer and his allies have no interest in that
agenda and are only interested in a partisan political one.
Senator Smith and the Governor should immediately fire everyone
involved in this latest plot and apologize to the people of this State for
their actions.
It’s clear that the Governor and his subordinates will continue to
abuse government power and use these underhanded tactics against me, as
leader of the Senate. Who might they target next?