By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Former State Comptroller Alan Hevesi is expected to plead guilty to a felony corruption charge in a pay-to-play pension fund scandal that has lasted for years and enveloped several of his friends, family and associates, the New York Times reported.
Hevesi is accused of offering access to the $125 billion in state pension fund business to firms that gave kickbacks to the comptroller and his aides.
Tuesday evening, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office, who led the investigation, reportedly issued a statement saying only that there is no agreement between the AG's office and the investigation is ongoing.
If Hevesi enters a guilty plea, he will likely serve time in prison and would be the highest-ranking public official involved in the case to be convicted, the Times reported.
In 2006 Hevesi pleaded guilty to a separate felony charge for using state employees as chauffeurs for his sick wife. He didn't serve jail time in that case in exchange for his resignation from the position of comptroller.
Others charged in the corruption case, like former Hevesi aide Hank Morris, will continue to fight the charges, regardless of whether or not the ex-comptroller pleads guilty, the Times reported. Morris was indicted on 123 counts last year, but continues to deny any misconduct.
Hevesi had maintained his innocence in the matter, but the Times reported that he had a change of heart because of his sons, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi and State Senator Daniel Hevesi, both of whom have been plagued by the scandal.
Democratic nominee for State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman did not wait long to issue a response to the report, sending the following statement Tuesday evening shortly after the news was posted: "If the reports about former Comptroller Hevesi are true, this is very disturbing news for the millions of New Yorkers who have already lost confidence in the integrity of their government.
"Having chaired the investigation that led to the expulsion of a corrupt senator from my own party, as Attorney General I will continue Andrew Cuomo's practice of fearlessly investigating officials who betray the people, regardless of their party, region, or background. The people of New York deserve nothing less."
