Bruno Ethics Probe

from today's Syracuse Post-Standard

Bruno gave "pork" to firm connected to businessman in probe

12/6/2006, 11:45 p.m. ET
By MARK JOHNSON
The Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno directed $500,000 in state funding to a private company connected to a businessman being investigated for providing Bruno with free air travel, state records show.

The Empire State Development Corp. grant to Evident Technologies Inc., a private nanotechnology company based in Bruno's district, received the "pork-barrel" spending at Bruno's request. Initial funding for Evident came from an investment firm run by Jared Abbruzzese, according to a news report posted on the company's Web site.

Abbruzzese is currently under investigation by the state Lobbying Commission into whether he provided Bruno with an illegal gift when he flew him between New York City and Albany. The businessman was formerly part of Empire Racing Associates, one of several groups seeking the lucrative state franchise to operate thoroughbred racing in New York. Hugh Carey took over for Abbruzzese in October.