This week’s story in the Village Voice about former Brooklyn County Leader Clarence Norman selling judgeships begins with a little history.
The darker secret was that the bench itself had been bought, that its polyester black robes were on a perpetual special-sale rack, that smarmy party bosses, ensconced at 16 Court Street across from the supreme court they ruled, demanded cash tribute to "make" a judge. The district attorney, Joe Hynes, who first heard the rumor 36 years ago when he was a young prosecutor running the office's rackets bureau, said in 2003 that he'd have to be "naive to think it didn't happen," that it was "common street talk that this has been going on for eons."
http://villagevoice.com/news/0703,barrett,75548,2.html
Maybe somebody should ask DA Hynes the following: Since you first heard about this practice 36 years ago and are not naïve, did you ever ask Clarence Norman’s immediate predecessor as County Leader, Howard Golden, about any of his this when he was employed by you at a salary of $125,000 per year?
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The answer, Mr Yodel, (Tuesday 1/16, 9:01AM,) is that I have now transferred the responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the Judiciary from Judges, whom the people expect to be pure and undefiled to politicians whom the people expect to be contaminated.
In the process, I am beating a dead horse(or rather killing a dead jackass) which harms no one. But more to the point, Mr Yoda I am diverting attention and punishment from judges and others...some of whom are my friends, and from others who are friends and even relatives of my friends and financiers.
In addition, much of my success as DA is based on the solid principle of "sending a crook to find a crook." If I were to lock up all the crooked individuals I know, then whom could I depend on to rat on other crooked individuals. My philosophy is much like that of Abraham Lincoln. If I have to give immunity to every judge who has committed a crime, in order to successfully prosecute a suspect, then I am prepared to do it.
I know that you will respond that I have been dishonest in pretending that I was going after corrupt judges, but look at it this way. I have removed Clarence Norman, making it possible for Mr. Vito Lopez, a new, unselfish, untainted, and reform-minded County Leader to take his place.
Mr. Lopez has assured me that he is dedicated to change. I believe it. He has demonstrated that commitment by changing his own name from Lopiciano to Lopez. And in doing so he has transformed himself from Italian to Latino when it is convenient.
In my own office Mr Lopez/Lopiano has assured me that he will only support the most qualified candidates. He has promised that in his regime there will be no more purchase of judgeships, and that no more favors and promotion done for spouses, relatives of friends of party officials.
I am satisfied that we have made a fresh new start. In addition, current judges, and those who aspire to be judges now know that if they are caught offering bribes, or accepting bribes, I will do all in my power as District Attorney to embarrass them, hold them up to public ridicule, and even force them into retirement or resignation. One step at a time Mr Yoda. Today a Yoda, tomorrow a Yodel, and down the road a Yo-Yo