A maverick former member of New York's government ethics board who quit in protest says the panel is seeking all his records and notes while warning him they remain confidential under law.
Attorney Ravi Batra tells The Associated Press the Oct. 2 letter from the Joint Commission on Public Ethics"stinks to high heaven." He says turning over his records could hinder his role in any investigation of JCOPE.
Batra quit a month ago. He warned JCOPE lacked political independence and called for a federal investigation.
JCOPE has been criticized in its first 10 months for its secrecy and for hiring a staff dominated by former appointees of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
JCOPE spokesman John Milgrim said Monday the request for documents is routine when someone leaves.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press