Politician Snorts $250 Up His Nose
Eric Fortier
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Impact Staff Blogs
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This past month Westchester County Legislator Gordon Burrows, 52, and a friend, Timothy Cacace were arrested in Queensbury, N.Y. after police found the two with a small amount of cocaine in their car.
Burrows announced that he does NOT intend to step down albeit the arrest.
The two men were using the drug while sitting in the car at a Mobil gas station on their way to Killington, Vermont.
They were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. New York Penal Law 220.03 states "a person is guilty of seventh degree possession when he knowingly and unlawfully possesses a control substance." The amount or weight of the substance has no relevance. The class "A" misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail.
It originates from the Erythroxylon coca bush found in South America. According to Nora D. Volkow, M.D. Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2008, 1 in 6 Americans has tried cocaine by the age of 30. That is an astounding number.
The website for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, www.drugabuse.gov states, "Taken in small amounts, cocaine makes the user feel euphoric, energetic, talkative, and mentally alert, especially to the sensations of sight, sound, and touch." The drug can also temporarily decrease the need for food and sleep.
Burrows, was recently re-elected to represent the Yonkers and Bronxville district this past November and has maintained the position since 2005.
In a recent interview with The Journal News, Burrows said, "I clearly have placed myself in an embarrassing position. I have no intentions of stepping down."
Burrows had his day in court and the Warren County District Attorney's office allowed Burrows to plead guilty to the lesser charge of Disorderly Conduct, a common offer in misdemeanor drug cases. The fine was $250.
Jeremy Saland, of New York Criminal Lawyer Blog said, "Disorderly Conduct is a practical means negotiated between prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys to avoid any criminal ramifications for the crime you are alleged to have committed."
Burrows basically worked out a deal that saved his political life, avoiding jail time and paying a fine. If this had been you or me, we would more than likely be in jail with a drug arrest on our record. Mr. Burrows should step down from his position as Westchester Legislature but is not required to.
Politicians seem to be above the law.
What's the problem with a little blow amongst friends?
This is a prime example of a politician getting away with a crime a "regular joe" would not. The constituents of Yonkers and Bronxville have a Legislator who will not own up to his mistake and resign. The next election for this District is in 2011.
Don't blow your vote on someone who has no respect for their position.
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posted 3/17/10 @ 9:01 AM EST
It's rather interesting but we need to investigate that situation clearly
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