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Outside Earnings Have FBI Knocking on Joe Bruno's Door

"I always said I would earn my income outside the Legislature," says Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.

And those outside earnings are what have the FBI knocking on Senator Bruno's door.

Bruno announced late Tuesday afternoon that he is in fact part of a federal investigation. The Senate Majority Leader says he learned of that investigation back in the spring, but is only talking about it now, after questions from the media.

At the center of the controversy is a business Bruno reportedly runs out of his home, called, "Capital Business Consultants." But just what the problem is, Bruno says he has not been told.

Nevertheless, he says he is cooperating fully.

At an impromptu news conference, Bruno was vague about what the FBI is investigating, only saying, "relationships and business interests." But he was clear when saying he has nothing to hide.

"There have never been conflicts in anything that I have done," Bruno says.

According to the paperwork, dated May 15th of this year, Bruno tells the Legislative Ethics Committee of his interest in Capital Business Consultants - what he said is a marketing and business development company he started in 1990. But Bruno will not say who else is involved in the business or the investigation.

"I'm not going to go into names or anything else, I think its just unfair to people," says Bruno.

Democratic Assemblyman Ron Canestrari says he does not believe Bruno did anything illegal.

"I have complete confidence in Joe Bruno," Canestrari says. "The mere fact that it's an investigation does not impede him in any manner, or his leadership."

"I'm guilty of nothing, so why would it impact my ability to do anything?" says Bruno.

Canestrari says anyone in public office has competitors who might be eager to undermine one's influence or success.

"May be jealous of some business project that did not work out as planned...one never knows the reason," Canestrari says.

The FBI did not return our calls about what type of illegal activity it is looking for.

Bruno says the inquiry delves into the last five or six years of his business dealings.

Senator Bruno Press Statement:

"It has come to my attention that certain members of the news media have been informed that a federal inquiry is underway which appears to be related to my outside business interests. From the outset, I have cooperated completely and totally with the inquiry and will continue to do so."

"My style is to be open and honest. When it was brought to my attention that the inquiry had been leaked to the media, I wanted to be up front and assure that I have nothing to hide and avoid speculation, distortions or unfounded rumors."

"As a part-time legislator, I, and my colleagues are permitted to have outside law practices or business interests. My interests outside the Legislature have all been cleared and approved by the Legislative Ethics Committee."

"As I do not know the full nature of the inquiry, it would be premature to comment beyond what I know. However, I will continue to cooperate with any ongoing inquiry."