Treachery’s high season. Johnny Angel returns to Senate Republican caucus.

The conspirators have rewarded one of their own. John Healey has returned to the deeply divided dozen member Senate Republican caucus.

Johnny Angel, as he was known when he former House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero’s aide who delivered $10,000 in cash to an FBI plant, will serve as chief of staff to state Senator Stephen Harding, who gulps from the poison chalice. Harding was the face of the tiny revolution that ousted Senator Kevin Kelly as leader of the shrinking Republic caucus.

Healey replaces Gary DeFilippo, who Kelly picked to replace Healy days before the 2024 regular session of the legislature began on February 7th. Daily Ructions understands another branch of government was considering providing a safe harbor to Healey had the coup failed or Harding suddenly become a better judge of conduct, including his own.

Harding will need to remember that in the dark business of treachery if they will do it for you, they will do it to you.

Published February 20, 2024.