Of the numerous things Rudy Giuliani did that I disliked, possibly the worst was his habit of using slurring critics and others by using past “criminal” behavior.
The most notorious instance was his illegal leaking of the sealed juvenile record of Patrick Dorismond, a completely innocent man killed by NYC police officers. But that was not the only time Rudy did this.
I was surprised on Sunday to see the Bloomberg administration is now behaving in a similar way.
The Daily News printed the following –
City Controller William Thompson angered more than a few people at City Hall and 1 Police Plaza this week when he put out a statement that highlighted a recent increase in murders, rapes and robberies.
Several sources pointed out that Thompson's media contact on the release was Michael Loughran – a 28-year-old former FDNY spokesman who was arrested for cocaine possession outside a Manhattan bar in 2005.
Loughran started with Thompson in January, spokesman Jeff Simmons said. He did not provide Loughran's salary.
"The charges were dismissed three years ago. Over the last four months, Mike has been a valuable member of the controller's office," Simmons said. "For someone to raise the issue because the controller took a stand on behalf of all New Yorkers is petty."
The Manhattan district attorney's office said the case was sealed.
The leaking of Mr. Loughran’s arrest record is outrageous for a number of reasons. First, the charges were dismissed. And secondly, it’s completely irrelevant as even if he was guilty, that has nothing to do with the merits of the report by Controller Thompson.
Whoever leaked this story should be ashamed of themselves. And if Mayor Bloomberg or Police Commissioner Ray Kelly approve of the behavior, they should also be ashamed. Some reporter should ask Bloomberg of Kelly about this.