Throughout history, some bizarre and unbelievable scandals have hit New York politicians.
Perhaps most memorably, former New York governor Eliot Spitzer resigned after it was revealed he was a regular client of a high-priced escort service, frequently having dalliances with several prostitutes during his brief term as governor.
Spitzer was then succeeded in office David Patterson, who had an equally, colorful past. Patterson admitted to having several affairs during his marriage, including one with a fellow state worker, as well as a history of using drugs, including cocaine, in his younger days.
Indeed, political scandals are nothing new, and now New York politics has a new scandal to add to the list. Several politicians, including former State Senator Malcolm Smith of Queens, have been arrested on charges of bribery.
Smith is accused of bribing Republican officials to put his name on the GOP ballot in the 2013 race for New York City mayor. Smith, is a Democrat, was arrested with three others, including a New York City Councilman.
If convicted, Smith, and the others arrested alongside him, could face decades in prison.
The case may sound strange, but bribery in politics, like political scandals themselves, are nothing new. In the early 1970s, perhaps the most famous case of political bribery was exposed.
Then-Vice-President Spiro Agnew came under investigation for accepting bribes during his time as Maryland's governor. He later resigned as Vice-President, and his name still remains infamous for the bribery charges. A former lawyer, he was also disbarred as a result of the bribery charges, although he ended up avoiding jail time.
Perhaps the most disturbing element of this case is that these elected officials were put in office to work for the people of the state. They were elected to a position of trust and confidence, and if it is proven that they were involved in what they are accused of, they are not only in violation of the law, but they are also in violation of public trust.
It will be interesting to see how this case unfolds, and what sort of hard evidence is brought to light as the case is covered further.
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