SENATE PASSES CODEY-SACCO BILL BARRING ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND CERTAIN PROSECUTORS FROM POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
February 22, 2021, 3:49 pm | in
SENATE PASSES CODEY-SACCO BILL BARRING ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND CERTAIN PROSECUTORS FROM POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
LIVINGSTON – The Senate today passed S-3242, sponsored by Senator Richard J. Codey and Senator Nicholas J. Sacco, with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation would ban certain public officials from holding elected public office and participating in political activities during their tenure and for three years following it.
“Anybody who knows anything about criminal law knows that prosecutors have enormous power over deciding what cases their offices pursue. As Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Puccio of the Eastern District of NY is quoted with saying, ‘I could indict a ham sandwich,’” Senator Codey (D-Essex/Morris) said. “We need to know that a prosecutor is doing what is best for the people of our state. We should be sure that she or he isn’t making decisions based on what might help them in their future endeavors. This legislation will help to make sure that prosecutors are making choices based on the interest of the public and not their political careers.”