New York's anti-corruption commission that's asking state lawmakers to reveal private law clients has the backing of the state Bar Association, which says attorney-client privilege doesn't bar the disclosure required in 20 other states.
The New York State Bar Association argues the names often are already in public court records; they're just not collected in a place for the public and ethics enforcers to see.
Twenty other states require lawmakers to divulge at least some of their private law and consulting clients, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The Legislature has resisted the release of law clients in the past citing attorney-client privilege. Spokesmen had no comment Monday on whether the Legislature will oppose the commission's request, revealed last week in a letter obtained by The Associated Press.
(c) 2013 AP
