Legislative leaders sought to install filters to block inappropriate material from being viewed on state computers two days after a veteran assemblyman's computer was seized for containing child pornography.
The leaders released a statement Friday saying they want the most aggressive Internet filtering software available on all computers in the Legislature.
The move comes after state investigators seized computers from Assemblyman Neil Cohen on Wednesday. Sen. Raymond Lesniak and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, who share that office, had alerted authorities about the pornography.
We recognize that individuals intent on breaking the law and abusing public resources will still seek ways to do so, but this action is aimed at doing everything we can to prevent something of this nature from happening in the future, said a joint statement from Democratic Senate President Richard J. Codey, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr., Republican Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. and Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce.
Albert Porroni, state Office of Legislative Services executive director, said such software can be a very specialized kind of thing.
It has to be dealt with carefully so that you don't block a site that you've got to do legitimate research on, Porroni said. But, nonetheless, we are going to address it.
DeCroce, R-Morris, said Cohen's behavior, if proven, represents one of the most deplorable acts committed by a public servant.
One of our most important obligations as a society is to protect those who are most vulnerable, particularly our youth, DeCroce said.
He noted Cohen took an oath to uphold the state Constitution and laws.
And if he has violated that oath, not only must he resign from office, but he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, DeCroce said.
Lee Moore, spokesman for state Attorney General Anne Milgram, said the office had no comment. The U.S. Attorney's Office also declined to comment.
Cohen has not been charged.
The 57-year-old Democrat hasn't answered calls to his cell phone nor responded to text messages. He's been hospitalized for psychiatric treatment.
Cohen served in the Assembly from 1990-91 and from 1994 to present.
___
Associated Press writer Samantha Henry in Union Township contributed to this report.
