Commenting on recent cases involving Dean Skelos, New York Senate majority leader, and Sheldon Silver, former speaker of the New York State Assembly, campaigning group Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York has described what it calls 'perhaps the greatest corruption of all: that a no-show law firm job is perfectly legal'. 

Not working for us

Describing New York state as the 'lawsuit capital of the world', Thomas B Stebbins, executive director of the group, says: 'If we New Yorkers are truly serious about enacting ethics reform, we need to close the no-show job loophole. Even if these legislators are not showing up, they are working for somebody, and it is not us.' 

Charges

Mr Silver has been arrested on various charges including corruption. He has vowed to clear his name. A federal inquiry has focused on his relationship with two New York law firm which paid him substantial sums over several years. Mr Skelos was charged with extortion, conspiracy to defraud and soliciting bribes last month. Sources: New York Times and Observer