Bruno Bashes Times Union Reporter

It may have been just what he's been waiting ten months to say.

It was in July of 2007 when the Spitzer administration fed information to the Times Union for a front-page story that claimed Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno misused state aircraft.

And today, as Bruno was discussing a new push for openness and transparency in state government, the same reporter who wrote that story, James Odato, again asked him to release his travel records in the interest of accountability -- and in return, received a tongue-lashing.

"Jimmy, where the hell have you been?," Bruno snapped. "Since you guys distorted the news on the front page of your paper -- totally distorted the news, then lied about my schedule, guess what? I haven't used state aircraft since I said I wouldn't. So you want my itinerary? It's zippo, zero. okay? I haven't used any state aircraft."

And just when he seemed ready to move on, Bruno paused and resumed his rebuke: "Wait a minute, wait a minute, he started it, I want to finish it," he said. "You printed on the front page of your paper in headlines that 'Bruno misused state aircraft,' was doing fund raising on April 8th last year, didn't you?

"On the front page of your paper, you wrote the story, not even taking the time, being too damn inconsiderate, irresponsible and lazy to find out that April 8th was Easter Sunday -- my birthday as well. Did you take one minute to find out what April 8th was?

"No -- but worse, did you ever put on the front page that 'We were wrong?' 'We didn't have the correct information?' 'We screwed up?' No, what'd you do? Tried to pile on. Thank you for nothing."

To view the raw video of Bruno's response to Odata, click the link at right.