A deputized “Corruption Crusher” sent this to me at ask@corruptioncrusher.com recently. On November 21, the federally indicted Bronx Assemblyman Eric Stevenson held a “legal defense” fundraiser despite having been appointed a taxpayer-funded public defender.
It takes a certain amount of chutzpah to hold a legal defense fundraiser weeks after being rebuked by your trial judge for trying to ditch the public defender you requested. The NY Post had reported that after pleading for a public defender, Stevenson left the federal courthouse in a Mercedes Benz SUV.
According to news accounts, the judge said Mr Stevenson wanted new assigned counsel because he disagreed with counsel’s advice that he accept a federal plea deal (which is every defendant’s right).
The Stevenson fundraiser was bill as an “Oldies But Goodies Night in the Bronx.” I wonder if the DJ played Sam Cooke’s “Chain Gang?” That, plus “A Change Gonna Come” are my favorite Sam Cooke songs. Both seem appropriate soundtrack selections for Assemblyman Stevenson.
What oldies would you add to Stevenson’s soundtrack?
Check out @nickpowellbkny’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/nickpowellbkny/status/405022228213166080
The man has a right to the best defense money can provide, he should do a fund raiser so he can relieve the people of the burden of paying for his defense and Mr. Benjamin the man is innocent till proven guilty this is often forgotten or ignored. So let’s not play any songs claiming guilt until after the trial this is the foundation America is built on. Especially in cases where the governments chief witness is labeled a liar and a thief by the government itself. Imagine I ask someone to come in and verify something and as he’s speaking I say he’s such a liar, why should anyone believe anything he says.
You’re correct that Mr. Stevenson is innocent until proved guilty in a court of law. Perhaps, my judgment is informed by my study of the facts of his indictment and confessions of his four convicted co-conspirators who acknowledged buying Stevenson’s governmental “influence.”
Yes, Stevenson was ensnared by a friend whose disreputable character has long been suspect by those in Bronx politics. I believe Sigfredo Gonzalez knew the heart of his like-minded confederate. Mr. Gonzalez has himself not been convicted of any crime. Former Assemblyman Nelson Castro, the liar you may be referencing, has pleaded guilty to perjury. But Mr. Castro isn’t a witness in the case against Stevenson. To my knowledge, Castro had no direct contact or discussions with Stevenson regarding the alleged bribery conspiracy. And as far as I know, Castro had no hand in “targeting” Stevenson for the feds.
I don’t fault you and others for rallying around Stevenson. I blame Stevenson for putting himself in this situation. My comments were directed at him and him alone.
Too many disreputable and corrupt people have come to typify our community. That must end. I will use my blog to educate (persons such as you) and to root out such corruption.
Thank you for posting a comment. Happy Thanksgiving.
How ironic it is that the first person to be putting Mr. Stevenson on a cross is a former black legislator. Then again Judas was from among his own.
Mr. Stevenson had nothing to do with the fundraiser, but it was done by concern people of his district.
Knowing that we have a Judas around We all want to see that Mr. Stevenson receive a fair trial.
I am still black and will always be. I’m best described as a black former legislator who is disappointed that both his predecessor and successor are tainted by the blood of corruption.
You’re correct that Mr. Stevenson is afforded innocence until proved guilty in a court of law. Perhaps, my judgment is informed by my study of the facts of his indictment and confessions of his co-conspirators who wished to buy access to his “services.”
Yes, Stevenson was ensnared by a friend whose disreputable character has long been suspect by those in Bronx politics. Judas Escariot’s betrayal of our Lord may have been driven by his disappointment that God didn’t deliver Israel a warrior Messiah. I believe Sigfredo Gonzalez delivered a like-minded confederate to prosecutors.
I don’t fault you and others for rallying around your friend. I blame Stevenson for putting himself in this situation. My comments were directed to him and him alone. Too many disreputable and corrupt people have come to typify our community. I will use my blog to educate (persons such as you) and to root out such corruption.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.