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The Legislative Gazette


September 21, 2010


state pension fund, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced last Thursday. The agreement is with Bill White, a


$1M deal reached in state pension fund probe N


By MICHAEL GORMLEY The Associated Press


ew York has reached a million- dollar settlement in a probe of the pay-to-play scandal at the huge


former president of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City who raised funds for former state Comptroller Alan Hevesi. Cuomo has said White was involved in a $2 million payment from the pension fund to a business he was affiliated with. “The state pension fund, which should


be safeguarded for taxpayers, was instead served up to fixers, finders, and fundraisers like Bill White, who used his access to fill his pockets,” Cuomo said at a news conference in New York City. “Unlicensed placement agents, secret


fees, and even the appearance of pay- to-play erode taxpayers’ trust and pose an intolerable risk to our pensioners’ retirement funds,” said Cuomo, a Democrat who is running for governor. “New York’s pension system is fraught with systemic problems that we can no longer afford to ignore.” White confirmed the deal through a spokesman. “Today, Bill has fully resolved this matter with the attorney general’s office,” spokesman Steven Kobre said. “He is looking forward to putting this behind him and working with the New York attorney general in his important effort to reform the New York state public pension system.”


AP photo


Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has reached a settlement with a company that allegedly traded favors with former Comptroller Alan Hevesi, above, while he was in charge of the state pension fund.


Current Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a partial list of placement agents who did business with the pension fund


during Hevesi’s tenure. DiNapoli also sued one of the companies accused of paying kickbacks for fund business.


Charter Schools Institute. Appointed to the executive director


SUNY charter head to depart T


Gazette staff writers


he State University of New York is beginning a national search for a new executive director for its


position by the SUNY Board of Trustees in May 2008, Jonas Chartock will be stepping down to become the chief executive officer of New Orleans-based Leading Educators, an organization focused on supporting and developing teachers and school administrators as leaders who can guide efforts aimed at ensuring high academic achievement for every student. Chartock will lead the organization’s national expansion. “Jonas has led SUNY’s Charter Schools


Institute with integrity and an unbeatable energy and enthusiasm for doing this work of charter authorizing right,” said SUNY Board Chairman Carl T. Hayden. “He has successfully navigated the institute through challenging times, all the while continuing to seize new opportunities for moving the organization to the next level. He will be greatly missed.” Chartock, 35, is credited by SUNY leaders


Opponents Continued from page 5


constituents better in terms of getting more affordable health care,” Breslin said. The incumbent also responded to Domenici’s accusation that Breslin, as chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, was in the pocket of the insurance industry. Breslin said, “I would tell Domenici he should check with the insurance industry and the legislation we have passed, which has addressed regulation in a way no Republican has ever done.” At a house


with making quality improvements to institute practices, expanding the institute’s collaboration with state and national charter and educational organizations, and refining and executing SUNY Board of Trustees’ policies. “This is a most exciting and bittersweet


transition,” said Chartock. “SUNY has more than earned its reputation as a national exemplar in charter authorizing, and it has been my privilege to lead this dynamic organization. I hope to continue my support of the institute and all of the wonderful people I met in my time there in my new role, dedicated to creating teacher-leaders for the benefit of all public schools.” The Charter Schools Institute was created


by the Board of Trustees in February 1999 to assist it in carrying out its responsibilities under the New York Charter Schools Act of 1998. The act granted the board the power to authorize 100 charters for the purpose of organizing and operating autonomous public charter schools. “It comes as no surprise that Leading


Educators would turn to SUNY as the source for its first CEO,” said SUNY Chancellor


party in downtown Albany on the eve of the primary intended to rally supporters, Breslin categorized Domenici’s attacks as “politics as usual.” Matthew Peter, president of the Albany


Young Democrats, said he did not believe Breslin deserved to be branded as an establishment candidate. Peter said, “Neil’s been there on all the important issues from insurance reform to marriage equality. He shouldn’t be caught up in any of the anti- incumbency that’s been out there. You can’t get rid of everyone just because of a few bad apples.” Breslin supporter Peter Hitchcock said,


Cuomo’s investigation so far has returned


$138 million to the public workers pension fund and the state.


Nancy L. Zimpher. “I know Jonas will bring the expertise and innovative thinking he demonstrated at the Charter Schools Institute to his new role. We will miss him and wish him all the best.” Prior to joining the institute, Chartock


was the founder and chief executive officer of the Charter School Policy Institute in Austin, Texas, a position he held since 2005. Julie Mikuta of NewSchools Venture Fund


and a board member of Leading Educators, said “We are thrilled that Jonas will lead the expansion of Leading Educators. This innovative organization will help schools keep the strongest teachers in the field, by effectively training them to lead other teachers in their schools to produce high levels of student achievement. Jonas brings a rare combination of skills and experiences that will enable Leading Educators to serve teachers and school systems nationwide.” “I am excited to work to bring to scale a


unique program that develops and retains our best teacher-leaders in order to help more teachers significantly raise student achievement in their classrooms and across their schools,” said Chartock.


“He’s the only politician I know of who you can call his office and he answers the phone personally.” It is going to be a busy next seven weeks


as the candidates work toward the general election on Nov. 2. Last Wednesday, Domenici was meeting


with business leaders in the Albany suburb of Altamont to ask about their concerns, the first of several meet-and-greet tours he is planning on making. He also went later that day to a church group in Colonie, another suburb of Albany, to sit and talk with the congregation. Domenici said, “We will go door to door,


Chartock


Chartock is an Ed.D. candidate at the University of Texas at Austin, with an anticipated degree date of spring 2011. He holds an Ed.M. in School Leadership from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education; an M.A. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction from Chapman University; and a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Chartock is the son of Legislative Gazette Publisher and Project Director Alan Chartock.


face to face, every kind of meeting we can.” Both Carey and Breslin also said they


were planning on meeting with people and making themselves visible to the voters in their district. All three candidates expressed a willingness to debate, although Domenici specified that he was more open to town- hall-style questions. “We want the people asking the questions,”


Domenici said. “We want to ask the people what their issues and concerns are.” Although he did not specify whether he


would agree to such a format, Breslin said, “I’m sure we’ll work out the details. I have never refused to debate a candidate.”


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