This time Albany has really gone up in smoke.
State workers at the capitol were busted for a "man cave" where they lounged during work hours, smoked pot, slept, sold drugs and racked up more than $28,000 in taxpayer funded overtime -- all while the government was engaged in a five-week coup that nearly shut down the legislature, according to a new bombshell report.
As lawmakers held the state of New York hostage, a government employed janitor and his boss from the Office of General Services were living large and "routinely clocked in at 4 p.m., got high, then slept" in the "hidden party lounge" that was busted on July 14, according to a press release from the state's Inspector General.
The pair were accused of creating the secret hang out that was outfitted with couches, a television, a refrigerator and scales to weigh pot, the Inspector General's office said.
One of the accused, Gary Pivoda, "allegedly made evening drug deliveries in his OGS truck to electricians, plumbers and other state employees," according to the release.
The pair has been suspended without pay and one of the men was charged with marijuana possession and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, the Albany Times Union reported.
The news of the bust was just the latest in Albany hijinks this month, when lawmakers allowed legislation to stall in the chamber during a coup that nearly paralyzed the state.
"Public employees are paid to work for the good of New York," Inspector General Joseph Fisch said in the release. "Not only is it outrageous to engage in criminal activities, but in addition to exploit the cover of state facilities as a sanctuary for their conduct."
