Excerpts of statement made by former state Sen. Larry Young on WOLB-AM radio in response to his indictment yesterday:

"I have been accused of trying too hard to improve the quality of life of my constituents and insure that all citizens of this state receive adequate and comprehensive health care. I'm innocent of any wrongdoing and of these charges and expect to be fully vindicated.

"I asked the hard questions about how a managed health care network can leave out a whole population of [African-American] professionals and get away with it. I am profoundly disappointed that they would seek to silence the advocate's voice asking the hard questions and seeking remedies to long-standing inequities against African-Americans in the health care profession.

"I am gratified and justified as I stand here today and reflect that the allegations made by the Sunpapers which prompted the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics' action have not survived to become a part of this indictment. I'm profoundly saddened and profoundly troubled, however, that the state prosecutor has decided to go off in a new direction in his pursuit of me.

"Did I seek or accept bribes from them? Absolutely not. Did I willfully commit any crime? Absolutely not."

Pub Date: 12/15/98