Sen. Shirley Huntley says she expects to be arrested following investigation into state funds
Queens pol says she isn't concerned and will turn herself in on Monday, despite wide-ranging probe into several nonprofits she's connected to.
By Kenneth Lovett AND Jonathan Lemire / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Saturday, August 25, 2012, 2:16 PM
Ronzoni via Wikepedia
Queens state Senator Shirley Huntley is presently under investigation in connection with state funds she sent to non-profits.
Queens state Sen. Shirley Huntley, who is being investigated in
connection with state funds she sent to nonprofits, said Saturday that
she expects to be arrested.
Huntley, who represents Jamaica and Springfield Gardens, did not know what charges she would face - but insisted that she would be cleared of any wrongdoing.
“I am not concerned,” she told the Daily News Saturday. “Whatever will be, will be.”
Huntley said she would turn herself in Monday to investigators at Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office.
A Schneiderman spokesman did not reveal what charges Huntley would face - but suggested that the state senator would soon face justice.
“The appropriate forum in which to respond to the Senator is a court of law, where the Attorney General will prove all facts according to the rules of evidence,” said spokesman James Freedland.
“Those facts will speak for themselves," Freedland said.
The Daily News was first to report on Huntley’s connection to non-profits she was directing money to, including one where the state checks went to her home address.
Schneiderman’s office has conducted a wide-ranging probe into several non-profits connected to Huntley.
Her niece and a top aide were arrested last year on charges they kept $30,000 in state money meant for a nonprofit the senator founded.
And Huntley’s daughter, Pamela Corley, is also being investigated on suspicions that the nonprofit she runs may have misused state cash. Corley has not been charged with a crime.
Huntley ripped Schneiderman, who used to be her colleague in the state senate.
“People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,” said Huntley, who did not elaborate.
Huntley already faced a tough fight in the Sept. 13 Democratic primary. She is being challenged by City Councilman James Sanders, whose base in Far Rockaway was redistricted into Huntley’s turf.
Despite the brewing scandal, the six-year incumbent said she was would remain in the race and was confident of winning.
“I’m running,” Huntley said. “My people know me, believe me when I tell you.”
Neither the senate Democratic or Republicans had any immediate comment about the imminent arrest.
Huntley’s indictment comes as Longtime Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez faces sexual harassment charges and Bronx Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera is at the center of an ethics probe and could face criminal charges.
“Something is very wrong in Albany and it’s not what New Yorkers should expect,” said Susan Lerner, head of the voter advocacy group Common Cause.
“Now the shameful instances are coming fast and furious,” Lerner said. “It’s a sorry spectacle right now in terms of what we’re seeing all the repeated investigation censuring and indictments of lawmakers.”
with Corinne Lestch
Huntley, who represents Jamaica and Springfield Gardens, did not know what charges she would face - but insisted that she would be cleared of any wrongdoing.
“I am not concerned,” she told the Daily News Saturday. “Whatever will be, will be.”
Huntley said she would turn herself in Monday to investigators at Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office.
A Schneiderman spokesman did not reveal what charges Huntley would face - but suggested that the state senator would soon face justice.
“The appropriate forum in which to respond to the Senator is a court of law, where the Attorney General will prove all facts according to the rules of evidence,” said spokesman James Freedland.
“Those facts will speak for themselves," Freedland said.
The Daily News was first to report on Huntley’s connection to non-profits she was directing money to, including one where the state checks went to her home address.
Schneiderman’s office has conducted a wide-ranging probe into several non-profits connected to Huntley.
Her niece and a top aide were arrested last year on charges they kept $30,000 in state money meant for a nonprofit the senator founded.
And Huntley’s daughter, Pamela Corley, is also being investigated on suspicions that the nonprofit she runs may have misused state cash. Corley has not been charged with a crime.
Huntley ripped Schneiderman, who used to be her colleague in the state senate.
“People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,” said Huntley, who did not elaborate.
Huntley already faced a tough fight in the Sept. 13 Democratic primary. She is being challenged by City Councilman James Sanders, whose base in Far Rockaway was redistricted into Huntley’s turf.
Despite the brewing scandal, the six-year incumbent said she was would remain in the race and was confident of winning.
“I’m running,” Huntley said. “My people know me, believe me when I tell you.”
Neither the senate Democratic or Republicans had any immediate comment about the imminent arrest.
Huntley’s indictment comes as Longtime Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez faces sexual harassment charges and Bronx Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera is at the center of an ethics probe and could face criminal charges.
“Something is very wrong in Albany and it’s not what New Yorkers should expect,” said Susan Lerner, head of the voter advocacy group Common Cause.
“Now the shameful instances are coming fast and furious,” Lerner said. “It’s a sorry spectacle right now in terms of what we’re seeing all the repeated investigation censuring and indictments of lawmakers.”
with Corinne Lestch
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