With a federal investigation swirling around state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, Catskills-area Sen. John Bonacic has become the first Senate Republican to publicly urge his boss to give up the leadership post.
In an interview with the Times Herald-Record this afternoon, Bonacic, R-Mount Hope, said that the recently disclosed probe into Bruno's business dealings has undermined the Senate boss' authority. He said it also threatens to weaken the state Republican Party, of which Bruno is the de facto leader.
"He's been damaged and this ongoing investigation will impair his ability to lead," Bonacic said. "He should step down as majority leader, even if it's temporarily, until the cloud is removed."
Bruno's office did not immediately return a call for comment.
Sen. William Larkin, R-Cornwall-on-Hudson, a member of the Senate leadership, accused Bonacic at taking a "potshot" at Bruno.
"John Bonacic can say what he wants, but I'm telling you that, not only me, but a lot of others support Joe Bruno. I'm standing behind him because I think he's doing a good job and I haven't heard anything to change my mind about him."
