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Editorial

In probation patronage case, some misdeeds go unpunished

  April 01, 2012

The corruption that pervaded the state Probation Department was a two-way deal: Probation Commissioner John O’Brien and his aides pretended to conduct a merit-based search for vacant positions that went to candidates with political connections, while legislators ensured a steady supply of patronage jobs by inflating O’Brien’s budget. The fact that, so far, no elected official has been charged would seem to ignore half of the equation - and speaks to the limited reach of state and federal public-corruption laws.

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