ALBANY - Getting rich off your political connections is business as usual in Albany - and perfectly legal.So say the lawyers for the key figure behind a massive "pay-to-play" scandal in the state controller's office in recently filed court papers.
In unusually blunt language, lawyers for Hank Morris, a top political consultant to disgraced former Controller Alan Hevesi, didn't deny Morris traded in on his connections, saying it is a fact of life.
"It should come as a shock to no one that 'knowing people' matters and that individuals with political connections frequently enjoy readier access to government decision makers than do others," Morris lawyers William Schwartz and Laura Grossfield Birger wrote."The question posed here is whether gaining access, and even influence, in that manner is criminal."
Morris' team says no.
Today, Mr. Morris, 55, stands accused of crossing the often-blurry line separating the legitimate use and illegal abuse of influence. A 123-count state indictment handed up in March asserts that he positioned himself to extract $15 million in kickbacks from fund managers seeking public pension business in New York after he helped get Mr. Hevesi elected state comptroller in 2002. Mr. Morris has pleaded not guilty.
By the way, Morris was a top Democrat insider with connections to Bill Clinton, Charles Schumer, and Diane Feinstein.
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