Politics: State Assemblymember demands investigation of Diaz, Sr., and Diaz, Jr.

The Albany Times-Union continues its in-depth look at the possible misuse of public state funds by homophobic New York Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. and his son, New York State Assemblymember Ruben Diaz, Jr.

In "Lawmakers demand look at Diazes' fund use" by capitol bureau reporter James M. Odato, we find out that while most of the Democratic leadership are still taking a wait-and-see approach, Assemblymember Robert Reilly (D-Colonie, pictured right) is calling for a full investigation while others, including State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) are demanding increased transparency in the allocation of so-called discretionary member-items (which, in the Diazes' case, are alleged to have been used to pay for salaries for Diaz family members named to non-existent positions within community and religious institutions which they either worked for at one time or founded).

In the meantime, over the weekend, Democractic Long Island gubernatorial candidate Thomas Suozzi appeared at a breakfast organized by the New York Hispanic Minister's Clergy Association (which the Reverend Diaz, Sr. founded and leads) and reiterated his opposition to marriage for same-sex couples as well as wishes to restrict abortion rights in New York State. In Newsday's "Suozzi's swing through Bronx" from April 23rd, the appearance at the event was described "campaigning for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination among Latinos in the city." Note to Suozzi: The Association is a fringe homophobic minority within the larger Latino community in New York City which is now tainted by the Diazes corruption scandal. If corrupt and homophobic community leaders are your target Latino community voters, by all means pander to them.

As for leading Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer who was rumored to also have been scheduled to appear at the event, apparently there were scheduling conflicts and he was not able to make it. Still, there might be a chance to ask him directly if and why he planned to attend: The Out People of Color Political Action Club (OutPOCPAC) has announced that Spitzer, who is the current state attorney general, is scheduled to address the club at tomorrow's OutPOCPAC gubernatorial endorsement meeting in Brooklyn (for information on the whereabouts of the meeting and the time you can contact Club Co-Chairs Gerard Cabrera at gerardcabrera@hotmail.com or Doug Robinson at doug@dougrobinson.info).