FBI Investigates N.Y. Senate Leader

Wednesday December 20, 2006 12:16 PM

By MARK JOHNSON

Associated Press Writer

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The majority leader of the New York state Senate announced that the FBI is investigating him and his private consulting business.

Joseph Bruno, who will be the state's top Republican in January, said Tuesday he was told by the FBI in late spring that he was being investigated. The 77-year-old lawmaker said he doesn't know exactly what investigators are looking for, but he has cooperated.

He was told previously that he was not a target of the investigation, but said he wasn't sure if that had changed.

Bruno, who became majority leader in 1994, said he decided to make the announcement after learning news of the investigation had been leaked to reporters.

``I wanted to be up front and assure that I have nothing to hide and avoid speculation, unfounded rumors, and distortions,'' said Bruno. ``There have never been conflicts in anything I have done.''

Paul Holstein, an FBI spokesman in Albany, declined to comment on the investigation. A call to the U.S. Attorney's office in Albany was not returned Tuesday.

In New York, lawmakers are technically part-time and many also have private careers, often in business and law. Bruno earns a base salary of $79,500 a year as a senator, but he gets another $41,500 as majority leader.

Bruno is listed as a consultant to Capital Business Consultants LLC, according to his legislative ethics filing. He said the company provides marketing, business strategy and business development.

``My interests outside the Legislature have all been cleared and approved by the Legislative Ethics Committee,'' Bruno said. ``They're going into the background over the last five or six years into the relationships of my business interest.''

He maintained that the investigation would not cause him to lose his position as the Legislature's most powerful Republican. He was re-elected to that position by his colleagues late last month, before they knew of the investigation.

Bruno's admission comes as the Albany County district attorney's office is investigating Comptroller Alan Hevesi's use of state employees to drive his wife. Bruno called for Hevesi's resignation after the state Ethics Commission said Hevesi, a Democrat, violated the law.