Wayne Barrett Defends Quinn

Here’s Village Voice investigative reporter Wayne Barrett in City Hall today, saying that Christine Quinn shouldn’t necessarily be held responsible for the City Council's recent troubles.

Barrett, who is pretty familiar with the murky side of New York City politics, argues that legislative leaders aren’t normally held accountable when legislators misuse money.

“No one has ever blamed a legislative leader for that. I think it’s a totally new concept that Christine Quinn would be responsible for Kendall Stewart’s chief of staff,” said Barrett, referring to the indicted staffer and referencing Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin, and State Senators Pedro Espada and Efrain Gonzalez.

Barrett also says that it "remains to be seen" if Quinn will get a "free pass," since there are still questions about her own staff's conduct, what she knew about it, and when.