NY Senate leader went to rehab for booze habit

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said on Sunday that he received treatment for his addiction to alcohol. “I recognized that alcohol was becoming a crutch to deal with pressure I was under related to my responsibilities as Majority Leader of the New York State Senate,” Flanagan said to the New York Post. “Therefore, I proactively took control of the situation and sought immediate help so I could overcome it and move forward.”

Flanagan also stated that this was a necessary action for himself, his family, for his community and for the State of New York. Sources indicate that he completed an in-patient treatment program sometime after the legislative session ended on June 21. Governor Andrew Cuomo, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins were among the politicians from around the state who offered their support for Flanagan on Twitter.

  John Flanagan, NY Senate leader