Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Gonzalez drops leadership post because of indictment
State Senator Efrain Gonzalez, who was arraigned just two and a half weeks ago on a host of corruption and embezzlement charges, has decided to step down as chairman of the minority conference, according to Joe Mahoney, the Daily News bureau chief in Albany.
Representatives from Gonzalez's office said the senator was stepping down because of the "impact the indictment would have on his time."
Gonzalez will not, however, give up his seat in the state senate.
Gonzalez and three co-defendants stand accused of stealing $423,000 in state money by funneling discretionary funds, or "member items," through non-profit organizations and then using the money to pay for personal expenses.
Lawyers for the embattled lawmaker and the other co-defendants are now wading through a dozen boxes of evidence to prepare for a March 23 pre-trial conference.
