Vito Lopez and his Hour-of-Power

His Right Hand at work

What do you call $230,000 of public money being mis-used for self-gratification? Here is Vito's paper where every single story is about Vito Lopez. Or for those who use grease ... "totally devoted to you."

This is just the cover. More later.

7 Judges Face Quiz at 'Boss' Trial
January 24, 2007 from the New York Post
by Alex Ginsberg

When disgraced Brooklyn Democratic ex-boss Clarence Norman's trial begins next week, the witness box will look more like the bench.

Seven Brooklyn judges - and the county's current political boss - were included on a list of possible prosecution witnesses submitted yesterday.

Your tax dollars help Vito find his digs in Queens

It's not a lot -- only $13.77 per month -- as the New York Post reports, but it's being siphoned off by Vito Lopez from his campaign funds for his personal use to pay the monthly fee for the OnStar car emergency system, thereby making the expenditure illegal.

A top Brooklyn pol uses the pork barrel against cancer
December 26th, 2006 from the Village Voice
by Tom Robbins

The Voice questions how legislators (and Vito Lopez in particular) have a free hand in the pork barrel to benefit themselves as much as their constituents.

.by Jason Boog
October 20, 2006, from judicialreports.com

You would think that the disgrace of Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Clarence Norman would have at least slowed the gush of money from judicial candidates to his successor in the party machine. Think again.

NY Daily News Editorial
September 19, 2006

It was bad enough to learn that Brooklyn Democratic boss Vito Lopez is set to bestow a Supreme Court judgeship on his girlfriend's brother, but now comes word that Lopez is conniving to get Gov. Pataki to name his daughter to a spot on the state Court of Claims.

Here is the most powerful proof that Lopez views the courts as a patronage playground where judgeships are awarded based on personal ties. And home is where the plums get picked with two hands.

Squeeze Angela, get Jack, so says the News...

Daily News Editorial
September 18, 2006

In a city brimming with talented lawyers with sterling résumés, the word is that Brooklyn Democratic boss Vito Lopez is set this week to deliver a Supreme Court judgeship to an attorney whose chief qualifications include being the brother of Lopez's girlfriend.

As New York's Democrats prepare to take charge, reform vows take a backseat (excerpt)
June 6th, 2006 from the Village Voice
by Tom Robbins

But the most revealing episodes of old-style, heavy-handed arm-twisting by party bosses took place amid the only real Democratic horse race this year, the contest for attorney general nomination.