Retried New York Lawmaker Gets $140K Insurance Post

September 24, 2008

A former assemblyman from Queens has been hired to a newly created $140,000-a-year state job — in spite of the governor’s own orders putting a freeze on hiring.

The Daily News reports that retired Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette has been named deputy superintendent for community affairs at the state Insurance Department. The 78-year-old Democrat served 32 years in the Assembly before retiring this summer.

Gov. David Paterson has said state agencies can only hire for “absolutely essential” openings.

Insurance Department spokesman Andy Mais says Lafayette’s appointment was approved “through the budget freeze waiver process.” It’s unclear why the new post is needed.

Paterson spokesman Errol Cockfield says the hire “was a preexisting commitment.”

Topics Legislation New York

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Latest Comments

  • September 24, 2008 at 2:30 am
    iNoon says:
    Thanks for the insight Mike. College student, eh? Hope she doesn't plan on cooking refired beans in the dorm tonight. Might set the place on fire. Or, maybe not.
  • September 24, 2008 at 2:27 am
    Mike says:
    Actually the person who posts the articles is just an intern. Shes posted in the comments section a few times. I guess she is really busy taking college classes and stuff. Hop... read more
  • September 24, 2008 at 12:48 pm
    iNoon says:
    At first glance I thught this was going to be an article about NYS "forgetting" aboutt he hiring freeze and giving away a lucrative post to a former governmental official even... read more

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