Carvin: Shelly Silver Must Step Aside as Assembly Speaker

CARVIN: SHELLY SILVER MUST STEP ASIDE AS SPEAKER 
---
Boxley and Lopez Cover-up Attempts Form an Unacceptable Pattern
--- 
We should have bi-partisan consensus that Mr. Silver must step aside as Speaker." 
 
Westchester-Rockland--Sept. 4...New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), the longest-serving Speaker in state history, should resign his leadership role for mishandling the allegedly criminal sexual behavior of Assemblyman and Democratic Party boss Vito Lopez (D) against multiple female staff members. Mr. Silver helped arrange a secretive $103,000 pay out to some of the victims.  In 2008, Mr. Silver reportedly sought to hide from the public allegations of rape against his former legislative counsel Michael Boxley. 

 
"This is not the first time that the Speaker reportedly has worked behind closed doors to protect political colleagues from charges of sexual assault," Mr. Carvin said. "What allegedly took place to protect Mr. Silver's former counsel Michael Boxley from rape allegations was just as egregious. Mr. Silver has demonstrated a clear and unacceptable pattern of secrecy in these matters, and a stunning disregard for victims of sexual assault. This is unacceptable behavior from the third most powerful politician in state government.       Mr. Silver has served as Speaker since 1994. The  Assembly Speaker is selected by a vote of his Assembly colleagues.  "Mr. Silver  has served as Speaker capably for many years, and while I have disagreed with many of his policies, I have always respected his public service," Mr. Carvin continued. "But this latest controversy establishes a pattern of secrecy where transparency is most needed, necessitating his resignation as Speaker. At a time when we need to restore faith in our public leaders, this erodes the confidence of New York voters even more. In Washington and Albany, we need more transparency in government, not secretive arrangements like these. There must be consequences for elected leaders who act badly." Mr. Carvin, the father of two young daughters, spoke out last month against the controversial comments on rape made by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin (R-Missouri). 

 "As public servants, we have a responsibility to speak out forcefully on matters of right and wrong, whether the transgressor is a Republican or Democrat," Mr. Carvin said." The real 'War on Women' is waged though silence when incidents like this are allowed to occur. I am hopeful that we can have a bi-partisan consensus in New York for Mr. Silver to step aside as Speaker."