Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Endorses Eric Schneiderman for Attorney General

NEW YORK, NY – In the wake of a slew of major endorsements in his campaign for Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman today received the support from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. In his decision to back Schneiderman, Stringer cited Eric’s unparalleled record on government reform and public integrity.

 

"I am so proud to endorse Eric Schneiderman to be our next Attorney General,” said Eric's unparalleled record and commitment to government reform and public integrity prove that he is far and away the best person for the job," said Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. "Eric is a true reformer who has dedicated his entire career to rooting out corruption, fighting for more transparency in government, and demanding accountability from elected officials. If I only had one reason behind my decision, it is that there is no better candidate who will restore confidence in the government more effectively, more forcefully and with greater independence than Eric Schneiderman."

 

The endorsement by Borough President Stringer comes on the heels of major endorsements by the New York Times and the government watchdog group Citizens Union. In their endorsement last Saturday, the New York Times editorial board praised Schneiderman’s dedication to a “cleaner and more transparent government” and his “deep commitment to ethical government.”

 

“I’m honored to receive the support of my friend and colleague Scott Stringer,” said Eric Schneiderman. “While Scott was in the Assembly, he was one of the true champions of reform and he has continued that fight as Manhattan Borough President. As Attorney General, I will continue the battle against public corruption, delivering change to our state government and ensuring our justice system is smarter and fairer for all New Yorkers."

 

Schneiderman has unveiled a sweeping 22,500-word legal, legislative and administrative plan that is by far the most comprehensive set of reform proposals released by any candidate in this race.

 

The components of Schneiderman's plan to restore trust in government include:

 

    * Using longstanding AG powers to investigate businesses that illegally conspire with public officials; dramatically expanding the use of the 2007 New York State False Claims Act as a weapon to promote public integrity and fight public corruption; assigning prosecutors who are public integrity specialists to assist in prosecutions by district attorneys; and expanding Attorney General Cuomo's "Project Sunlight" to ensure greater transparency in government;

 

    * Requesting that the Governor use existing law to grant the Attorney General universal authority to investigate and prosecute political corruption cases under Executive Law. He will then work to have this grant of authority written permanently into law.

 

·      Fighting for broad legislative reform, including: creating a full-time legislature to reduce conflicts of interest; strengthening notoriously weak ethics and campaign finance laws; providing full public financing for campaigns; mandating fair and impartial redistricting; removing sole control of pension investments from the Comptroller; and mandating automatic expulsion from the Legislature upon a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence.

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To see the full Schneiderman policy book, please visit: www.EricSchneiderman.com

 

For a comparison chart of the AG candidates' public integrity platforms, please visit: www.scribd.com/doc/35312367

 

Follow the campaign on Twitter: twitter.com/Schneiderman4AG