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Column:
First steps on path to corruption can seem innocent
By
RICHARD MEEHAN JR. [With] ANDY THIBAULT
For the Norwich Bulletin
October 1, 2006
Editor's note: This column, excerpted from "Payoff: Tales Of
Political Corruption in Connecticut and Throughout the USA," is
available for reprint courtesy of The Cool Justice Report,
cooljustice.blogspot .com
The
FBI recently revealed in the post-9/11 era it is investigating 2,000 cases
of public corruption, which have led to more than 1,000 convictions of
public officials.
Is public corruption the ultimate seduction or a revelation of some basic
human personality flaw?
As a new lawyer, I was offered the opportunity to run for Bridgeport City
Council. That was at the invitation of lawyer Richie Pinto, who shared
office space with me and my dad.
Richie was a powerful figure in local Democratic politics and an honest
man. He was a gregarious figure who loved to be viewed as a kingmaker.
Decades later, I would spend more than five days in a federal courtroom
cross-examining his son, Paul, the government's star witness in the
corruption trial of former Mayor Joe Ganim.
Even at this small-time level, I found the lure of politics to be a heady
drug. What amazed me most, however, was the number of people willing to
fight sometimes vicious battles to advance the party.
Interestingly, I have found there are essentially two types of politicians
who ultimately go sour. The first is the greedy individual. From petty
ward healers to national figures, these people see public service as a
ticket to the trough of public money. What amazes me is their sense of
invulnerability. You can't line your pockets at public expense without
casting a wide net and letting it be known you are for sale.
The second class of offender is the altruist who enters public service
intending to serve the public good. Many stay focused and often accomplish
much. When this type of politician turns, it is generally the result of
some accidents of fate or concerted acts of seduction.
I would wager the good politician who turns bad enjoys long tenure and
lopsided political victories.
Of course, there would be no corruption without corrupters, and the
seduction is subtle. Millions of dollars in public contracts create a
battleground among corporations vying for influence and the inside track
to a bid award. Wining and dining politicians is not uncommon.
Look at the new sports venues being built throughout the land and you will
find an increase in the number and cost of luxury boxes. At a cost of
hundreds of thousands of dollars each, these are perks doled out to
clients.
So the seduction starts innocently with the acceptance of some minor gifts
-- dinner, tickets to a Yankees game, limo rides to New York -- nothing
that isn't common in the private sector. Nothing is sought. This is the
development of "goodwill."
The politician paid a modest salary is expected to move gracefully among
the moneyed icons of business. Temptation begins. Now add to it a
corporate attitude influence is necessary in dealing with the public
sector.
Take a look at the expenses of companies seeking public contract bids, and
among those are the costs of "consultants" and lobbyists.
Lobbyists have been receiving increased attention by law enforcement.
Legislative bodies regulate lobbying.
"Consultants" are different. These are generally people of
influence who are paid big money to help quietly acquire face time or
exposure with the public decision-makers. Consultancy agreements often
include large "success fees," usually a percentage of the
contract.
A typical scenario is hiring a "consultant" to work the
political landscape as an independent contractor. The hiring company
insulates itself and can disavow any later wrongful acts. The consultant
has inner-circle access ,at least to influential insiders who advise the
decision-maker. Small gifts become larger ones. Soon the heretofore honest
person is ripe for a bribe.
Bridgeport attorney Richard Meehan Jr. was the lead defense
counselfor former Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim's corruption trial. He is
a past president of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association and appears
regularly on Court TV. Andy Thibault, author of "Law & Justice In
Everyday Life" and a private investigator, is an adjunct lecturer of
English and a mentor in the master of fine arts writing program at Western
Connecticut State University. Web site: www.andythibault.com
Blog: www.cooljustice.blogspot.com
NOTE:
This column was excerpted from a posting, How Good Politicians
Go Bad, which is available in The Cool Justice Report archives.
LINKS:
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061001/OPINION/610010336&SearchID=73258526249129
http://www.cooljustice.blogspot.com/2006/09/how-good-politicians-go-bad.html
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