Andrew Cuomo. (Photo: Getty)

Governor Andrew Cuomo is not happy about the barrage of corruption charges hitting various New York lawmakers throughout the week, including State Senator Malcolm Smith, City Councilman Dan Halloran and Assemblyman Eric Stevenson. Accordingly, Mr. Cuomo released a statement this afternoon detailing his disgust.

“The allegations of public corruption by City and State officials revealed this week are appalling," the governor declared. "New Yorkers deserve a government that is as good as the people it serves and the events of the last few days fail this and every standard of public service .... Those of us committed to the public and honored to hold its trust have zero tolerance for the actions brought to light this week, and will continue to use our power to fight to ensure integrity and trust to government in New York.”

Mr. Cuomo, the state's former attorney general, went on to tout his own record of prosecuting officials accused for abusing their offices.

"As Attorney General I prosecuted numerous public corruption cases, including putting former Senator Espada and Comptroller Hevesi behind bars, and believe firmly that anytime the public’s trust is violated, we must act quickly and aggressively to hold the guilty parties accountable," he continued. "I commend US Attorney Preet Bharara, District Attorney Robert Johnson and their partners in law enforcement on their dedication to prosecuting corruption at every level."

Nelson Castro (Photo: assembly.state.ny.us)

As expected, Bronx Assemblyman Nelson Castro, who wore a wire to help indict his colleague, Eric Stevenson, announced his resignation today. Stepping down from office, in addition to cooperating with federal authorities, were steps he took in order to avoid prosecution himself.

"Today I announce that I am resigning my seat in the New York State Assembly, effective Monday, April 8, 2013," Mr. Castro said in the statement, which can be viewed in full below. "On July 31, 2009, I was indicted by a Bronx County Grand Jury for committing perjury in a 2008 civil matter, held prior to my election to the Assembly. I appreciate the seriousness of my misconduct. Thereafter, I agreed to cooperate with .... various investigations aimed at rooting out public corruption."

Additionally, Mr. Castro, who could be involved in future indictments as he's been cooperating for four years, ominously added, "I continue to cooperate with State and Federal authorities in this prosecution and in other investigations."

Politicker asked Mr. Castro's attorney, Michael Farkas, if he could elaborate on the 2008 perjury charge that placed his client in this mess to begin with. Mr. Farkas said he could not until the indictment against Mr. Castro is unsealed. However, it could be related to the perjury indictment outlined in a 2009 New York Daily News report where nine voters were found to be registered at Mr. Castro's one-bedroom flat.

"I can’t at this time, but I will be able to do so shortly, perhaps next week," Mr. Farkas replied.

A special election will be scheduled to replace Mr. Castro. Other elected officials charged with corruption this week, including Mr. Stevenson, State Senator Malcolm Smith and Councilman Dan Halloran continue to hold office and, at least in the case of the latter two, have publicly maintained their innocence.

View Mr. Castro's resignation announcement below:

Today I announce that I am resigning my seat in the New York State Assembly, effective Monday, April 8, 2013.

On July 31, 2009, I was indicted by a Bronx County Grand Jury for committing perjury in a 2008 civil matter, held prior to my election to the Assembly. I appreciate the seriousness of my misconduct.

Thereafter, I agreed to cooperate with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and, later, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, in conjunction with various investigations aimed at rooting out public corruption. As one result of this cooperation, among other things, this morning a complaint was unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York charging Assemblyman Eric Stevenson and four others with various federal crimes. I continue to cooperate with State and Federal authorities in this prosecution and in other investigations.

I am very proud of my accomplishments and the many benefits that I have secured on behalf of my district over the last four years. These include helping thousands of constituents to apply for U.S. citizenship on a no-fee basis, and providing educational programs focusing on the Citizenship & Naturalization Exam; obtaining funding for technology purchases and initiatives for the schools in my district; sponsoring events for senior centers and youth programs in my district and beyond; and securing additional low cost housing units in the area. Most of all, I take pride in how our diverse population has united to transcend racial and ethnic differences and work together.

My district is comprised of hard working and honest people, devoted to their families and to their community. I deeply regret my misconduct while campaigning before I was elected to office. It is my sincere hope that my constituents remember me most for the good I have done as their representative, rather than for the poor example I set as a candidate.

Because of the sensitive nature of ongoing prosecutions and investigations, I must direct all further inquiries to my attorney, Michael C. Farkas, Esq.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara explains the scheme.

Two days ago, when U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said New York State corruption cases were beginning to feel like the movie Groundhog Day, he was rather prescient. This afternoon, Mr. Bharara unsealed charges against Bronx Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, making him the third New York City lawmaker to be charged with corruption this week. Additionally, another Bronx Assemblyman, Nelson Castro, was the cooperating witness in the latest case and will resign today.

"So here we go again," Mr. Bharara began. "This has become something of a habit. For the second time in three days, we unsealed criminal charges against a sitting member of the State Legislature. And based on what is alleged in this complaint, it becomes more and more difficult to avoid the sad conclusion that political corruption in New York is indeed rampant and that the 'show me the money' culture in Albany is alive and well."

Among other things, Mr. Stevenson is accused of exchanging envelopes of cash for writing legislation to benefit the owners of a senior center in his district--the bill in question would place a moratorium on new centers to allegedly provide a local monopoly for the bribers. Mr. Bharara said this "breathtaking bit of corruption" was the ultimate political dishonor.

"Those allegations, if proven, represent an especially breathtaking bit of corruption even by Albany standards. Those allegations represent the corrupt sale of an elected representative's core duty: a legislator, selling legislation," he said. "As the recording show, Stevenson was brazen and blunt about putting his core function up for sale."

Mr. Bharara then pointed to Mr. Stevenson's alleged quotes obtained through wiretaps, including, “If half of the people up here in Albany was ever caught for what they do ... they .... would probably be in [jail] . . . so who are they bullshitting?”

Assemblyman Nelson Castro (Photo: Facebook)

Assemblyman Nelson Castro sent out a statement yesterday evening urging fellow legislators to support his bill to allow the use of public school buildings for religious meetings and worship. As of February 12, religious organizations will be barred from using school property in New York City. Mr. Castro, who represents the 86th District in The Bronx, described this decision as "discriminatory."

“This issue is particularly affecting my district and my constituents. It is my responsibility to protect my community," Mr. Castro said.

Mr. Castro introduced the bill to stop the ban last month. On Tuesday, it was recommitted to the Committee on Education.

In his statement, Mr. Castro cited examples of two churches in his district, The Bronx Household of Faith and The Love Gospel Assembly, which have been affected by the policy.

“About a year and half ago, The Love Gospel Assembly burned down and needed suitable space for a limited time to accommodate a congregation of 500 hundred people. Due to this unconscious action, this church was denied a space in several schools in my districts,” Mr. Castro said.

The Bronx Household of Faith appealed the city's decision in court, but a panel of federal judges ruled in favor of the New York City Board of Education that the ban didn't violate Freedom of Speech. Bronx Household of Faith attempted to take the issue all the way to the Supreme Court, which declined to hear their case.

Assemblyman Castro has been a vocal opponent of the plan to keep religious groups from using school buildings. Last weekend, he participated in a march across the Brooklyn Bridge protesting the ban.

Fernando Cabrera (Photo: NYC Council)

This afternoon, Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera will be marching across the Brooklyn Bridge to ask Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Department of Education to reverse the upcoming ban on religious institutions  using public school buildings on weekends for meetings and worship.

“We stand firm on our position. Equal access for houses of worship makes New York City communities better. Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Education need to see just how many people are on this side
 of the debate,” Mr. Cabrera said in a statement announcing the March.

The ban on religious institutions using public school space is scheduled to take affect February 12. Mr. Cabrera, who is senior pastor of New Life Outreach International in the Bronx, was arrested earlier this month while committing an act of civil disobedience to protest the ban.

According to the statement announcing the March, Mr. Cabrera will be joined by several other local politicians including; two likely mayoral candidates, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and Comptroller John Liu, Assemblymen Nelson Castro and Marcos Crespo, State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. and Council members Tish James, Ydanis Rodriguez, Jumaane Williams, Peter Vallone and Margaret Chin. Mr. de Blasio's aide, Kirsten John Foy, a minister and potential Council candidate who has been one of the main organizers of the movement protesting the ban, will also be in attendance.

In addition to putting pressure on Mayor Bloomberg and the DOE, the marchers are also expressing support for bills currently pending in the State Legislature and City Council that would reverse the ban.