Give patronage harsh scrutiny

If the daughter of the former majority leader of the State Senate really had a no-show job at the Research Foundation of the State University of New York, a leave of absence by the head of the foundation -- and, potentially, the loss of his job -- is a promising signal.

In the world of Albany, where people with the wrong credentials (or none), too often get jobs for the wrong reasons, this tale sends a strong message: Don't give out no-show jobs. Not only is it improper, but it might also cost you your own job.

The foundation president, John O'Connor, is under investigation by the state's Commission on Public Integrity for hiring Susan Bruno as his special assistant. She's the daughter of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who is appealing his 2009 corruption conviction.

The allegation is that Susan Bruno, hired in 2003, did little or no work. By the time the story broke in 2009, she was making more than $84,000. Three months later, she left.

O'Connor denies wrongdoing, but has gone on leave, creating a negative story just as the university is rolling out a positive one: a report card rating itself and inviting New Yorkers to hold it accountable for its performance.

Accountability is also what we need to slow down the Albany patronage mill. The inquiry itself should rattle anyone tempted to curry favor with powerful pols by hiring no-shows. And if O'Connor actually loses his job, that would amount to an accountability earthquake. hN