Ex-ethics panelist blasts records request

By MICHAEL GORMLEY. The Associated Press. ALBANY -- A maverick former member of the state's government ethics board who quit in protest last month said yesterday that the panel is seeking all his records and notes amid an investigation into press leaks.. "It stinks to high heaven," former ethics Commissioner Ravi Batra said.. Batra, an attorney, has denied releasing confidential information to reporters.. "I am perplexed by this illegal request," Batra said in a response to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics. "You don't cite any legal authority for this request, as there is none.". He said he could not "assist in any desire to cover up all that has gone wrong and prevent the public's right to know.". The Oct. 2 letter from the ethics commission requested that Batra turn over any documents and materials or copies he had relating to the panel. The letter notes the materials that Batra received while a commissioner remain subject to a confidentiality lawOctober 15, 2012

Batra said that appears to include his notes. Violation of the law by a commissioner could result in a misdemeanor charge.

Commission spokesman John Milgrim said the request for documents is routine when someone leaves.

Batra resigned Sept. 7. He warned that the commission lacked political independence from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who appointed its chairwoman and some members who then picked an executive director who worked for Cuomo, a Democrat.

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