Sheldon Silver. (Photo: Getty Images)

Facing growing calls for his resignation, Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver, surrounded by an army of loyal supporters, apologized for his handling of the Vito Lopez allegations and announced a series of reforms to ensure, he said, that such mistakes will never be made again.

"I want New Yorkers to know I care deeply about this institution and its employees, that I remain dedicated to our core commission of protecting those who are most in need of a strong and caring government," Mr. Silver told reporters at a press conference in Albany hours after Mr. Lopez officially resigned.

To help prevent any future interference, Mr. Silver announced that, going forward, all sexual harassment complaints made against an elected official or staffer will be handled by independent investigator or counsel, who will neither be appointed nor serve at the will of the speaker.

Mr. Silver also moved to ban all confidential settlements by any government agency, including both houses of the Legislature and the Governor's office. And he announced that any member or supervisor who is informed about harassment by another employee will have a mandatory duty to report that harassment--or face immediate sanctions.

The speaker faced intense criticism for his handling of the complaints against Mr. Lopez. According to a pair of lurid reports released last week, Mr. Silver failed to refer complaints against Mr. Lopez to the Assembly's ethics committee, and appeared more concerned about keeping the allegations from the public than making sure they were handled properly.

Mr. Silver again admitted Monday that he had made mistakes and said that his conduct "weighs heavily on me.”

“Mistakes were made. I greatly regret them," he said, adding that he felt it was his responsibility to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.

Still, Mr. Silver said that, despite a slew of editorials calling for his head, he has never considered stepping down.

“I did not give any thought to resigning," he said.

He also insisted that, despite calls for a more thorough investigation into his handling of the matter, he sat for more than 10 hours with investigators, as did senior staff members.

“I want to be clear. There was a full investigation here," he said, adding that he, too, was shocked by the reports' findings.

“I had no independent knowledge of the extent to which these complaints were taking place," he said. “I was horrified."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that voters don't blame him for the scandals sweeping Albany, joking that nobody could have expected him to ban sex.

Speaking during an appearance on WCNY's "Capitol Pressroom" earlier today, Mr. Cuomo was asked about a new poll that shows that, despite the recent scandals--including Assemblyman Vito Lopez's resignation following sexual harassment allegations--his numbers have ticked slightly up.

Mr. Cuomo explained that voters see "the government’s working better" despite the "corruption and scandal and politicians doing bad things."

Host Susan Arbetter asked why he shouldn't shoulder some of the blame.

“No, because look, well why should … Is the governor to blame for Vito Lopez’s sexual [harassment]? No,” he said, dismissing the premise. “When a congressman is doing sexual bad behavior, do we blame the president for a congressman’s sexual exploits? Ah, no."

Instead, he said that voters are "very good at making those kinds of separations.”

"Is the governor responsible when an assemblyman is bribed or when a legislator violates an escrow account or sexually harasses a staff ... No, of course not. It’s silly," he said. “We may postulate that theory well, the governor’s supposed to clean up everything, meaning, no sex," he said, joking.

“That would not be popular,” noted Ms. Arbetter.

“That’s right,” Cuomo said with a laugh.

Mr. Cuomo explained he thinks that voters see that he's doing everything he can to try to pass reforms to cut down on corruption.

“We don’t hold him responsible for the bad acts. But we believe he’s doing everything he can," he said. "Which is true. I am doing everything that I can do. I’m glad they see it that way."

And Mr. Cuomo threatened once again that, if his ethic reform plan fails to make it through by the end of the legislative session, he'll call for the special investigative panel called a Moreland Commission.

“At the end of the day, one way or the other, there will be a reform in place," he said.

Still, Mr. Cuomo refused to call for action again Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver and said that what is happening in Albany is reflective of society as a whole.

“Will you ever stop people from doing venial, stupid criminal, illegal acts?"he asked. "Not in government, not in politics, not in the militarily," he said. ”This is prevalent through society."

The sign outside Ex-Assemblyman Vito Lopez's office has already been removed. (Photo: Twitter/@thomaskaplan)

Ex-Assemblyman Vito Lopez’s resignation became effective at 9 a.m. this morning, and Assembly officials wasted little time scrubbing all traces of the disgraced legislator online and in Albany.

Mr. Lopez's official government website has already been removed, as has his official Assembly email address. ("Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently," a message read.) By 10:30 a.m., the nameplate outside his Legislative Office Building had also been removed--apparently forcibly, per a photo tweeted by The New York Times' Thomas Kaplan. His name will also be removed from his floor seat, an official said.

At his district office in Brooklyn, phones this morning rang unanswered. “I’m sorry, but there’s no room right now to record your message. Please try again later. Goodbye," an answering service said.

At Mr. Lopez’s legislative office in Albany, staff reported to work but were apparently unsure of what to do.  “I don’t know,” a flustered woman who answered the phone said when Politicker asked if they were still operating.

Of course Albany leadership is no stranger to the process of making disgraced legislators disappear. In recent years the body had dealt with a slew of forced resignations, including most recently, Bronx Assemblyman Nelson Castro, who was forced to resign on federal perjury charges after helping the feds gather evidence against his colleagues by wearing a wire.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's spokesman, Michael Whyland, said that Mr. Lopez's staff will remain on the payroll for an "indeterminate" period of time performing constituent services and can still be contacted at the same offices and numbers.

But any legislation he introduced will be stricken, per Article 3, Section 13 of the State Constitution, Mr. Whyland said.

However, if Mr. Castro's office is any indication, those who live in Mr. Lopez's district may not want to held their breaths--phones at both his district and legislative offices rang unanswered Monday.

Vito Lopez. (Photo: NYS Assembly)

Disgraced Assemblyman Vito Lopez just announced that he will resign from the Assembly at the end of the legislative session--but still intends to run for City Council.

The announcement comes in the wake of a damning report released this week outlining his alleged sexual harassment of numerous young women who worked for him and a day after Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver said he would introduce a resolution seeking his expulsion.

"As of June 20, 2013, the last day of the session, I resign my position," My Lopez said in his statement, which contains no hint of remorse or reference to the efforts to force him out.

"I expect to run a vigorous campaign on the issues facing the citizens of my community and hope to continue to serve them as a member of the City Council," he continued. "I believe that the voters of the community should decide who should represent them."

Here's the full statement released by his office:

I am gratified that Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan has concluded, after an exhaustive investigation, that there is no basis for bringing criminal charges against me. I have maintained my innocence throughout this matter and I believe no criminal investigation should ever have been conducted.

I have made no secret that I intend to run for New York City Council in November, which requires me to resign my current term. Nevertheless, because the citizens of my district voted me back into office last November  by an overwhelming majority, I feel obligated to serve out this session of the Assembly. I therefore announce that as of June 20, 2013, the last day of the session, I resign my position.

I expect to run a vigorous campaign on the issues facing the citizens of my community and hope to continue to serve them as a member of the City Council. I believe that the voters of the community should decide who should represent them.

Update (12:20 p.m):

June 20 is not soon enough for Mr. Silver, whose office said he will move forward with his efforts to expel Mr. Lopez before the end of the session.

"Assemblymember Lopez should no longer be in public office. We will move forward with our resolution on Monday," his spokesman said in a statement.

Update (12:36 p.m):

Gov. Andrew Cuomo called on Mr. Lopez to resign immediately and said that if he doesn't, he should be expelled.

“As I said yesterday, there should be a zero tolerance policy when it comes to sexual harassment and we must now send a clear message that this behavior is not tolerated," he said in a statement. "Vito Lopez should not spend another day in office, let alone a whole month. He should resign effective immediately and if he does not, he must be expelled. ”

Vito Lopez. (Photo: NYS Assembly)

Describing his conduct as "nauseating," City Council Speaker Christine Quinn again called on disgraced Assemblyman Vito Lopez to resign from office, but held her fire when it came to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

A day after the release of a scathing report detailing Mr. Lopez's alleged sexual harassment of numerous young female staffers, Ms. Quinn said Mr. Lopez had no business serving in elected office--much less running for the City Council--and urged New Yorkers to do anything they can to keep him out of City Hall.

“I think what we are finding out now in very specific--and quite frankly nauseating detail--is shocking and Assemblymember Lopez should resign from his position as an Assemblymember immediately. He should drop his run for the City Council. And if he doesn’t do that, everyone in New York City needs to get behind his opponent, Antonio Reynoso, get together and make sure that Antonio gets elected,” she told reporters at an unrelated press conference at City Hall.

“To allow Vito Lopez, after what he did in the State Capitol, to be allowed into this building, to potentially, in the name of representing New Yorkers, conduct himself in such a horrible way would be an outrage,” she added. “It is incumbent upon all of us in New York to join together behind Antonio and make sure Vito does not get into this building."

Ms. Quinn had vowed to do anything in her power to keep Mr. Lopez out of office even before the report. Mr. Lopez has rejected the "salacious and sensational" claims as "fallacious"

Still, Mr. Quinn declined to call for action against Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who, the report alleged, had tried to shield Mr. Lopez by dragging his feet in first reporting the harassment and keeping the claims secret from the press.

Clearly, she said, Mr. Silver had "made mistakes” in his handling the complaints. But she said he had already promised swift reforms.

“He has made a commitment to move forward and reform the process in Albany,” she said. “He needs to move quickly to address those and to take real steps to put reforms in place so those kind of mistakes can never happen again.”

She also declined to weigh in on specific reforms--or calls for the Assembly to expel Mr. Lopez from his seat.

“I don’t know what the powers are that they have,” she said, but added that, had the same allegations been made against a City Councilman, he would be gone.

As for City Councilman Daniel Halloran, who was arrested as part of an alleged bribery scheme, she said the case is still under investigation, tying the council’s hands.

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.

Senator Squadron (Photo: NYS Senate)

Democratic State Sen. Daniel Squadron called on his Democratic colleague, State Sen. Malcolm Smith, to resign after he was arrested this morning and accused of orchestrating bribery scheme to land himself in the Republican mayoral primary.

"The charges outlined in today's complaint are simply shocking," Mr. Squadron, who's also a candidate for public advocate this year, said in a statement earlier today. "This is something that belongs in 'House of Cards,' not an election to decide who will run our city or any part of our government. Regardless of the outcome of the criminal charges filed against Senator Smith, he has lost the public trust -- and he should resign."

Mr. Smith, already stripped of his leadership position in breakaway Independent Democratic Conference that governs the State Senate along with the Republican caucus, was charged along with Republican Councilman Dan Halloran, Queens Republican Party Executive Vice President Vince Tabone and Bronx Republican County Chair Jay Savino, in a wide-reaching bribery scheme. Their alleged aim was to allow Mr. Smith, a Democrat, into the Republican mayoral primary. Mr. Squadron appears to be the first elected official to call for Mr. Smith's resignation.

As a side note, Mr. Squadron was not the only politico to compare Mr. Smith's alleged illegalities to House of Cards, the ongoing television show involving a plethora of Washington intrigue.

"Malcolm Smith's career and plotting remind me of 'House of Cards,'" Slate reporter David Weigel tweeted today. "if 'House of Cards' was about a moron."

Mr. Smith has maintained his innocence.

Cardinal Dolan (Photo: Getty)

Earlier today, Pope Benedict XVI surprisingly announced his abidcation--the first time a Pope has stepped down since 1415--setting the stage for the dramatic process of electing a new Vatican leader. And, although Congressman Michael Grimm doesn't get a vote in that select process, the Staten Island lawmaker wants everyone to know he's backing New York's own Cardinal Timothy Dolan for the holy vocation.

"It is too early to determine the full extent of Pope Benedict’s legacy; however, New Yorkers will never forget the gift he gave us with the elevation of Cardinal Dolan," Mr. Grimm announced in a statement. "Cardinal Dolan has lifted the spirits of Catholics and non-Catholics throughout New York and the world, and renewed the faith of many. If it were up to me to pick the next pope, Cardinal Dolan would have my vote!"

Mr. Grimm, who is Catholic, additionally praised Pope Benedict's unusual decision to step down, calling it "a sign of a great leader."

"Like most Catholics throughout the world, I was surprised and saddened to hear the news of Pope Benedict’s resignation. For seven years, he served honorably as our holy pontiff - seeking to reawaken Christianity throughout the world," he said. "One sign of a great leader is knowing when to step down. While we are shocked by this news, I commend Pope Benedict for putting the future of the Catholic Church before all else, and today I join Catholics around the world in praying for his health and well-being."

For his part, Cardinal Dolan--who was only elevated to his current position last year--said it would be "highly improbable"  that he would be considered for the papacy.

(Photo: Getty)

On Inside City Hall last night, former Governor Eliot Spitzer, who left office under the cloud of his own sex scandal, was called to weigh in on former C.I.A. Director David Petraeus' affair and whether President Barack Obama should have accepted his resignation as a result.

"As I understand the facts as we've seen in the papers so far, there was no criminal violation here," Mr. Spitzer argued. "There was no violation, I've been told, of even C.I.A. rules or regulations although there may be some questions there. It does strike me that perhaps the president could have looked him in the eye and said, ‘You have violated a bevy of ethical and moral rules that you understand. You will have to deal with that. You and your family will deal with that. But you will go back and continue to serve your nation. You will be straightforward with the public with what you've done. But I'm telling you as the commander and chief, serve the nation. That's what we expect of you; deal with the personal issues in your own way.'"

For what it's worth, Mr. Spitzer's fellow "Wise Guy," former Mayor Ed Koch, concurred.

"I was surprised that the president accepted the resignation if it is, as it apparently currently is, one mistress," Mr. Koch explained. "Two, I'd have a problem."

Carl Paladino (Photo: Facebook)

2010 gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino isn't too happy with Dean Skelos.

A letter Mr. Paladino is circulating called the Senate majority leader and fellow Republican "incompetent or diabolical."

"Your self-serving and weak demeanor and participation in illusion and theatrics in dealing with the Governor, Sheldon Silver and the establishment cabal in Albany are an affront to the people who worked so hard to elect a Republican senate majority only to be thrown under the bus," Mr. Paladino wrote in the letter, which was also sent to various leaders of the New York Republican Party, the press, and "Everyone Else."

Mr. Paladino further asserted Mr. Skelos' transgressions are enough that he should no longer be heading the Republican Party in the New York State Senate.

"This memo shall serve as my demand, on behalf of the Republican Party rank and file, for your immediate resignation as majority leader of the N.Y. State Senate," he continued.

Mr. Paladino concluded by calling for a "Free Republican Caucus Initiative." It is not immediately clear what, exactly, that would entail.

View the full letter below:

Memo

To: Dean Skelos

Cc: N.Y. State Senate Republican Caucus
N.Y. State Republican Party County Chairs
Ed Cox, N.Y. State Republican Party Chairman
Brian Kolb, N.Y. State Assembly Minority Chairman
N.Y. State Assembly Republican Caucus
N.Y. State Conservative Party County Chairs
Michael Long, N.Y. State Conservative Party Chairman
All Press
Everybody Else

From: Carl Paladino

Date: February 29, 2012

Re: Free Republican Caucus Initiative

Dean, it is obvious to most of the Republican rank and file in New York that your actions over the last 13 months describe a man incapable of representing the interests of the Republican Party.

Your self-serving and weak demeanor and participation in illusion and theatrics in dealing with the Governor, Sheldon Silver and the establishment cabal in Albany are an affront to the people who worked so hard to elect a Republican senate majority only to be thrown under the bus.

You are either incompetent or diabolical in your indifference to what was expected of you in leading the opposition and highlighting and bargaining for issues vital to your party and the taxpayers. Your inability to demand government transparency or to adopt it as required process in senate deliberations was unacceptable.

This memo shall serve as my demand, on behalf of the Republican Party rank and file, for your immediate resignation as majority leader of the N.Y. State Senate.

The Free Republican Caucus Initiative will deal with those other treacherous Republican Senators who with you sold out their integrity and abrogated their pledges to the taxpayers.