Bruno Is Subject of Inquiry by F.B.I.

The New York Times reports:

The New York Senate majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno, one of the three men who effectively control state government, said Tuesday evening that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking into his business interests.

Mr. Bruno, 77, who will be the state’s top Republican when Gov. George E. Pataki leaves office in less than two weeks, offered few details about the nature of the inquiry, which he said he was announcing because it had been leaked to reporters.

Mr. Bruno said that he has known of the inquiry since late spring, and that he recently retained a lawyer. He said that the investigation “appears to be related to my outside business interests” but added later that he was “not sure” if it involved any official actions he has taken as Senate leader. He said he was told that he was not a target of the investigation.

Republicans really are having problems.