12. Peter Sylver
2004 Power List
Power is not always positive or controllable, and Peter Sylver is a classic example. Although he lost a lot of clout when he came under fire for alleged misuse of county funds and resigned as deputy county executive, it seems he’s still got the power to bring down all those aorund him. The scandal (which also includes an alleged sexual assault) and the subsequent hearings may also damage the legislative Democrats, who had finally taken control from the GOP in 2002.