Community reactions are mixed on Hevesi

After hearing the news that Queens native and New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi plead guilty to a class E felony and resigned from office on Friday, December 23, the Queens community had mixed reactions.
&#8220I think it's a shame [that he had to resign],” said Robert Smith, a resident of Forest Hills, where Hevesi served as an Assemblymember for more than 25 years. &#8220I don't think his crime fits his punishment.”
Hevesi pleaded guilty in an Albany court to defrauding the state government by using a state employee as a personal chauffeur for his ailing wife as well as having the employee perform day-to-day tasks around the house.
&#8220I want to apologize to the people of New York State, who have given me the opportunity to serve them,” Hevesi said on Friday at his court appearance in Albany. &#8220I want to apologize to the 2,400 professionals who work in the comptroller's office, and I want to apologize to my family, who has been so strong and loving during this process.”
Meanwhile, Queens residents disagreed about whether or not Hevesi's actions warranted that he lose his position.
&#8220I really do think he did wrong,” said one Forest Hills woman who refused to give her name. &#8220We put all our faith in him.”
Other residents said that Hevesi's actions were not different from other politicians.
&#8220I don't think he should have resigned, all the politicians are the same,” said Corona resident Al Gelfond. &#8220If you want to nail him, you could nail a number of others as well whether it's one cent or $100,000.”
In exchange for pleading guilty and agreeing to pay an additional $5,000 on top of more than $200,000 he has already reimbursed the state, Hevesi will likely avoid jail time.
Hevesi's resignation took effect immediately, and currently, First Deputy State Comptroller, Frank Sanzillo, has taken over the position in the interim. However, it is likely that Hevesi will have to resign again on January 1, 2007, when his new term as State Comptroller would take effect.
The entire State Legislature, currently controlled by the Democrats, has already scheduled hearings within the first few weeks of the new year to select a new Comptroller.
Before serving as State Comptroller, Hevesi worked as the Comptroller for New York City from 1994-2002 and was a Queens Assemblymember from 1968-1993.