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“Are they all bad?”

I’ve recently wondered out loud, if the members of our State Legislature are so immersed in the culture of Albany that even the best of them may be tainted. I’ve repeated this dismal suggestion to a member of the Assembly who I look at as a cut above the rest.

“There are a few good ones left,” he responded.

And so it begins to seem that like Diogenes, one must wander endlessly through the corridors of the State Capitol in search of an honest man.

We’re not necessarily talking here about criminality but acceptance of a culture of corruption — the very same culture which emboldened Joe Bruno to serve as Senate Majority Leader for years while taking huge fees and doing business with those trying to influence state government. While Bruno’s conviction is on appeal, wrong-doing is certain, even if criminality may be viewed in the gray area.

Political contributors, businessmen and lobyists appear to buy more than access in the not-so-hallowed halls of Albany.

Queens Assemblymembers Brian McLauglin and Tony Seminario are two who were convicted for clearly crossing the line. But with Albany rules and absurdly loose ethics oversight, that line has been pushed by more and more members. It is almost as if the elders or staff conduct lessons teaching the newly elected to game the system.

Many appear to learn how by doing business with lobbyists; accepting large, barely scrutinized contributions and gifts; taking fees from for those who want to influence government; accepting outside employment offered because of their elected position, all ways to enrich yourself in a system that enables incumbents to get reelected as long as they are not in jail.

This year, the winds of change that incumbents felt may blow hard in the face of some of the members of the nation’s most dysfunctional legislature. And while very few officeholders may lose their seats, a few very well may, and it is likely that there will be others besides this writer reminding the voters of the summer shutdown of the Senate and the ongoing series of improprieties by members of the NY State Legislature.

And no, my friends, for us it is not party or personality – it is that Diogenes-like search for an honest man. We seek elected officials who will cast their vote for what is in the best interest of the people of the State – you know, an honest man (or woman). Hiram Monserrate, the freshman State Senator who was instrumental in shutting down Albany last summer and was more recently convicted of a misdemeanor (and acquitted of a felony) in the assault of his girlfriend has become the latest target of those claiming they want to clean up Albany.

We wonder whether the efforts of those trying to get Hiram are more of a payback for his renegade style than his misdeeds. The State Senate has begun an Ethics investigation seeking to punish (or remove) him for his misdemeanor conviction while not seeking similar action against his colleague, Senator Kevin Parker who has also been convicted of a misdemeanor assault against an NYC Parking Violations employee and is awaiting disposition of a second assault charge against a photojournalist.

The Queens Democratic Party has many motives for trying to unseat Monserrate – one of them is clearly his abandonment of the Democratic Party caucus leading to a month-long standstill in Albany. We understand and applaud the Democratic Party’s effort to make sure their caucus in a reapportionment year is loyal. The Amigos who strayed certainly deserve to be tested in a Primary.

However, the ethics of the challenger must also be considered.

And sadly, the ethics of the challenger to Hiram Monserrate, who has been almost anointed by the Queens Democrats, has come into question – we think very serious question.

Assemblyman Jose Peralta has been, since he received Democratic Party support at their annual dinner, attacking Monserrate for his misdemeanor conviction. He has however, been difficult to reach, vague and elusive when it comes to the serious charges of his own ethical – if not illegal – misbehavior.

As reported in this paper last week, Peralta’s campaign filings listed his campaign headquarters valued at $1,300 per month, as an in-kind donation of his mother totaling $29,900. In fact the property is owned by an associate of his mother and as an LLC (corporation). While Jose’s mom could donate $29,900 in the reported period of time, the associate who actually owned the property or the LLC could only have given $6,000 year or $12,000 in total. Jose told this paper that his mother is the office manager, so he used her name. In fact by filing that false information, Jose’s campaign benefitted to the tune of $17,900. Furthermore, the same associate of his mother who allowed Jose to use $29,900 valued rent-free office space, was the recipient of rent from a community organization organized and funded by Peralta using public funds.

Peralta’s spokesperson now claims that the listing of his mother was a mistake and has not explained how the campaign accepted $17,900 more than the legal limit. Nor have we received an explanation of the campaign accepting office space from someone who was the recipient of State funds arranged for by Peralta.

Basically, it appears to stink – on several levels. It looks like Jose Peralta has quickly taken to the culture of corruption in Albany. He hopes to unseat Hiram Monserrate by claiming Hiram stinks more.

There is still plenty of time to find an honest man to take on the ethically challenged Monserrate. But to support someone who files false reports to enrich his campaign or doles out State money in exchange for financial favors, merely perpetuates the corrupt culture.

Perhaps Peralta has more information he wishes to share with this paper that may help explain behaviors that we think add to the stench of Albany and warrant serious investigation.

Perhaps Diogenes’ lifelong search for an honest man may never end in Albany.

MSchenkler@QueensTribune.com