Albany

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s medical marijuana law — which passed the state legislature last year — is being characterized by local political operatives as “designed for kickbacks.” The law authorizes only a handful of permits statewide — presumably to extort big campaign

Most political observers (particularly those in Western New York) think of Attorney General Eric Schniederman as the quintessential “career politician.” He was a little known and under accomplished State Senator from Manhattan before he narrowly won a primary contest to

Western New York’s political world has been inalterably rocked today with the issuance of search warrants at the homes of the renowned political operative G. Steven Pigeon, and two others: former Deputy Mayor Steve Casey and Chris Grant, Congressman Chris Collins’ Chief

Veronica Nichols, the community activist who challenged Assemblywoman Crystal People Stokes in a tree way primary contest last year, is calling out Mayor Byron Brown. Brown’s surprise appointment to the SUNY board of trustees is a conflict of interest, she

County Clerk Chris Jacobs is battling perceptions ahead of next year’s election cycle. He stepped out of contention in the county executive’s race last year after intense party infighting with Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw and his operatives, causing many to brand

A prominent Democrat with close ties to Mayor Byron W. Brown tells me that Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes is angling for a position with the University at Buffalo, in the $180,000 to $200,000 range. Such is the reason that Mayor Brown

Assemblywoman Crystal People-Stokes held a rally in support of legislation that has introduced in Albany in recent weeks, for which is seeking passage in the coming days. She is said to have the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is

In the 60th State Senate district, it’s expected that newbie Senator Marc Panepinto — who won his last Democratic Party primary by fewer than 400 votes, and his general election with just 34% of the vote — will face at least

Former and aspiring candidates for various judgeships have been wondering how State Senator Marc Panepinto and his wife, State Supreme Court Justice Catherine Nugent Panepinto, navigate what they call “impossible conflicts of interest.” They worry that attorneys who practice before Justice

Erie County Chairman Nick Langworthy is an influential figure in New York State’s Grand Old Party. He is credited for building a robust political apparatus in a county that is enrolled nearly 2-to-1 Democrat. Under his leadership, local Republicans have one the County

Senator Cathy Young represents Western New York’s Southern Tier. Earlier this year, The New York Post named her as Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos’ likely successor. Skelos has been under federal investigation by US Attorney Preet Bharara. His arrest is expected early

A source close to the courts tells me that Governor Andrew Cuomo has offered former State Senator Mark Grisanti a judgeship. Cuomo is nominating Grisanti for the Court of Claims. The Court of Claims is the exclusive forum for civil litigation

Dear Mr. Ricchiazzi: I read your website every day and love how you are exposing political corruption around Erie County and WNY. I am very bothered by Frank Max’s Progressive Democrats of WNY group and their lack of accountability and thought

Two days ago, the New York Daily News reported that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie was unhappy that Governor Andrew Cuomo is planning on pursuing ethics reform this legislative session. Today, the New York Post is reporting Heastie’s ties to convicted mobsters.

In the 2010 redistricting process, Senator Tim Kennedy’s district was redrawn to ensure minority representation in the State Senate. It is heavily Democrat-enrolled, and anchored by the large African American population on Buffalo’s Eastside and in West Cheektowaga. He even

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has been roundly criticized for failing to pursue public corruption cases against elected officials who have been accused of enriching themselves with public dollars. So it is curious, they say, that he would allocate

The Albany Times Union is investigating Counsel Financial, an investment vehicle connected to Buffalo based venture capitalist Jordan Levy, Weitz & Luxembourg, and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. The firm is mentioned in US Attorney Preet Bharara’s indictment of Silver. Counsel

The New York Posts’ longtime Albany bureau chief Fred Dicker is reporting that Republican Senator Catherine Young, of Olean, is rumored to be Majority Leader Dean Skelos’ successor. Skelos considering stepping aside, ahead of a public corruption probe launched by US