Former New York Comptroller Alan Hevesi, Embroiled in Corruption Scandals, Dies at 83

Hevesi, who carved a significant political career as a New York City assembly member and comptroller, faced an extensive downfall — he resigned amid scandal, served 20 months in prison for "pay-to-play" corruption, and was barred permanently from holding public office again.

Former New York City Comptroller Alan Hevesi, involved in multiple public scandals, has died at the age of 83 due to Lewy body dementia.
Hevesi had a long political career, serving as a New York City assembly member, a New York City comptroller, and a state comptroller before his downfall following revelations of corruption.
He resigned from his post as state comptroller after using a state staffer as a driver for his seriously ill wife for three years without paying for it. He pleaded guilty to defrauding the government, paid a $5,000 fine, and was re-elected before resigning six weeks later.
In a separate scandal, Hevesi pleaded guilty to a felony corruption charge for accepting free travel and campaign contributions from a financier in exchange for investing state pension money with the businessman’s firm — a “pay-to-play” scheme that led to him serving 20 months in prison.
Despite his scandals, Hevesi had a respected career in politics before his downfall. He served as a professor, gained a reputation as an impressive debater interested in healthcare, and used his power as comptroller to aid in efforts such as forcing Swiss banks to indemnify heirs of Holocaust victims for their unredeemed Nazi-era bank balances.