Local Elected Officials Speak Out About Public Corruption Charges

Senator David Carlucci said, “Like many New Yorkers, I am shocked and outraged over the alleged misconduct undertaken by various public officials at the state, city, and local government.  This conduct is reprehensible in its entirety, and public corruption in any form cannot be tolerated at any layer of government.”

Zebrowski said learning about the accusations was disappointing to say the least.

“There’s no place in government for this type of behavior,” he said. “There’s no place in it for personal advantage or personal gain.” 

Both Carlucci and Zebrowski said they wanted to learn more about the investigation. Zebrowski said he planned to read the through the charges in detail. The U.S. District Attorney explained the charges Tuesday morning. 

The Rockland County corruption charges, according to federal court papers, involved bribery in connection with a real estate project in Spring Valley. The complaint alleges Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin and Deputy Mayor Joseph Desmaret approved a property sale in the village at the request of an undercover agent and the cooperating witness. Desmaret allegedly accepted more than $10,000 in cash in exchange for his favorable vote on the sale and Jasmin allegedly demanded part-ownership.

There was a reference to a state senator in the charges filed against the Spring Valley officials, which Carlucci addressed.

“As the United States Attorney had indicated, in no way whatsoever was I, or any member of my staff, involved in the alleged criminal misconduct and subsequent charges filed this morning,” said Carlucci.  “On the contrary, these actions speak to a broader, more fundamental reason as to why I ran for office in the first place – to clean up the culture of corruption that pervades our politics.”

Zebrowski emphasized that charges throw a shadow across all the government.

“It’s frustrating for someone in government,” he said. “I try to work very hard at the job I was elected to be in.”

Carlucci acknowledged government reform is ongoing.

“Three years ago I came to Albany to shake up the status quo and bring change to our State Capital,” he stated. “While we have made great strides since, there clearly remains much more work to be done.  I am committed to working to reform our system of government in a way that increases transparency and holds public officials accountable to the people they serve.”