Independence Party official ‘misused’ funds: report | New York Post

      The political class that is the Moreland Commission needs to have some scapegoats for their epiphany that money and patronage are part of Albany....In essence the Commission is trying to criminalize the politics they  have been part of ....
    So they make an operative and political hobbyist like Tom Connolly of the Independence Party the heavy. I first met Tom in 2000 in a Troy bar when I was enlisting his support in winning a statewide primary for US Senate.

Indy Party's Number Two Man Tom Connolly

 

     He is  a doer in politics...The guy who controlled minor party lines and delivered for the Bruno-led majority while he was employed in a political job in a senator's office from NYC.  Tom got involved in the Indy Party and did much of the leg work doing the bidding of those who wanted a line on the ballot...He is what he is and was well known and sought out by Albany's political class.
     The Indy Party was a conduit for lots of money.....Bruno money...Bloomberg money..you name it.
It's corrupt if you want to call it that....But its all been common practice and politics as usual and there are no surprises to even the casual observers like me.
     If you want to end the little money fiefdoms that minor parties are, then just repeal Wilson-Pakula....don't look for that to happen soon.
     Having seen it all from the inside over the years, I just find all this new found indignation a little tough to swallow.
     

Independence Party official ‘misused’ funds: report | New York Post