Assemblyman Eric Stevenson Latest New York Lawmaker Arrested For Corruption

New York State Assemblyman Eric Stevenson was arrested Thursday for corruption, mere days after a colleague in the New York Legislature faced similar charges in a separate case. Four others have also been charged in connection to Stevenson.

Stevenson has been charged with taking bribes, conspiracy, and other related charges. He wrote legislation in exchange for money, legislation that benefited his four co-defendants: Igor and Rostislav Belyansky, Igor Tsimerman, and David Binman. The group sought to profit by helping developers open an adult day care center, according to the New York Times. Stevenson took money in exchange for helping developers acquire building certificates, expedite construction work, and recruit seniors.

Authorities used another state assemblyman who was indicted in Bronx county as a cooperating witness. In exchange for his help, the unnamed assembly man will not be charged for his role in the crime, but he must step down from his job. The lawmaker has been identified as Nelson Castro, another Democrat from the Bronx. An aide told the New York Times that his office will send a statement by the end of the day.

Stevenson is the latest New York elected official to get arrested this week. State Senator Malcolm Smith and Queens City Councilman Dan Halloran were arrested Tuesday in a plot to get Smith, a registered Democrat, onto a Republican ticket for mayor. Halloran connected Smith to officials open to receiving bribes. Halloran and four additional Democrats and Republicans were charged with accepting over $100,000 in bribes in locations that ranged from parked cars and hotel rooms to state offices.

Stevenson has served the Morrisania and East Tremont areas of the Bronx since 2011. His district harbors some of New York City’s poorest neighborhoods. Morrisania has a population of over 35,000, with the majority of households in public housing. East Tremont is one of the poorest neighbors in the country. Many of Stevenson’s constituents have it hard enough without another lawmaker getting arrested for being tempted by corruption.

[Image via the New York State Assembly]