Dinowitz Takes Over Delegation and Takes Courthouse Patronage

This past week the Riverdale Press reported on interesting two items involving Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. First, Adam Wisnieski of the Press reported that Dinowitz has taken over as the head of the Assembly Delegation for the Bronx.  I guess he can now boss around the other 11 Bronx Assemblymembers -- wonder whether Jose Rivera will pay any attention to him?  Second, it seems that Dinowitz has been making himself a pig at the trough over at our court system, where the Riverdale Press reports that he is raking in tens of thousands of dollars through appointments from judges on matters. For example, one judge that Dinowitz recently helped to get elected has appointed him to more matters than anyone else. Dinowitz will say he was the most qualified and politics had nothing to do with all those appointments (btw, Oliver Koppell's wife Lorraine is also a top beneficiary from judges).  It's good to see that clubhouse politics and good old fashion patronage is alive and well -- even with our "reform" politicians.      

Diaz, Sr. Aide Pleads to Stealing Over $500k

A former top aide to State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $500,000 from two not-for-profits closely linked to Senator Diaz. The Senator founded one of them and his wife served as the executive director of the other. The Daily News reports that "Diaz had no comment on the guilty plea. But last April, he lashed out at law enforcement in his “What You Should Know” blog for not arresting Gardner in 2007 after he supposedly confessed to an FBI agent. Clement Gardner was allowed to embezzle thousands of dollars, under the knowledge, approval, advice and direction of law enforcement agencies that are supposed to protect the people of the State of New York,” Diaz wrote

Adolfo Looking for Republican Line

Now that former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion has secured the Independence Party line for Mayor he is working to get into the Republican primary. He needs 3 Republican county chairman to support him to get that line, and, as the Village Voice reports, his chances just got better because of the upheaval over in Staten Island, where it's Republican County chairman just resigned.  Of course, the Daily News loves to bring up that scandal about his porch so he is going to have to try to change that tune.