Queens Sen. Shirley Huntley Indicted In Pork Probe
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Did another New York state lawmaker turn lawbreaker?
A Queens state senator was recently busted for trying to cover up corruption involving her staff and family, CBS 2's Tony Aiello reported.
If Sen. Shirley Huntley felt any shame, she didn't show it Monday, blowing a kiss to supporters as she was escorted away in handcuffs.
"We're here to stand with Shirley Huntley because we believe she has done no wrong," Rev. Charles Norris said.
WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reports
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, however, begs to differ, accusing Huntley of doing nothing as her niece and a close aide pocketed tax dollars for a phony non-profit.
Huntley is charged with trying to coverup the theft by phonying-up documents. Prosecutors said Huntley wrote "back date" on a letter meant to throw investigators off the scent.
The reaction in her Queens district wasn't one of surprise.
"It's the era we're living in, people aren't honest. It's incredible but that's the way it is," resident Rufus Johnson said.
"It's a terrible thing. You have to be careful with politicians. They're supposed to help the people; they end up helping themselves more," Chaim Levinger added.
1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports
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Huntley now joins a list -- a very long list -- of state lawmakers accused of ending up on the wrong side of the law.
In the last 10 years 12 lawmakers have been convicted or censured for corruption and other bad behavior.
So what's behind the bad acts in Albany?
1010 WINS' Stan Brooks With More On The Story
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The attorney general, a former state senator, said he didn't want to speculate.
"I can't take you inside the mind of any of the individuals you mentioned," Schneiderman said.
However, the attorney general did say recent prosecutions prove attempts are being made to clean up the capital, a concerted effort to make it clear that this sort of conduct will not be tolerated.
Huntley was free on bond on Monday night and is still on the ballot for next month's Democratic primary.
Three other people were charged along with Sen. Huntley, including her niece and a close aide.
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