More Rapfogel Type Charitable Pork to Pols
Political donations by charitable groups draw ire, scrutiny (NYP) Charitable donations that are supposed to aid the needy are ending up in the coffers of politicians — in violation of federal law, The Post has learned. Sources who work for charities said they feel pressured to give back. For example, the Community Resources Capital Foundation of Staten Island, a group that raises funds to serve the developmentally disabled, contributed $625 to the borough’s Conservative Party in April 2014. “We had to buy tickets,” development director Barbara Devaney said. “That’s the way it was presented to us.” Some not-for-profit groups have long had incestuous relationships with local political leaders. The landmark Apollo Theater Foundation in Harlem funneled $8,757.90 to the Manhattan Democratic Party last year, records show. Apollo is so connected to Harlem Democratic power brokers that its board of directors was once chaired by Rep. Charles Rangel. But the Harlem cultural charity claimed the funding was not a political donation. Even wealthy philanthropists dip into their charities for politics, among them The Price Family Foundation, which donated $8,000 to the state Republican Party last year.* Dozens of tax-exempt “charitable” groups have steered thousands of dollars to candidates for public office or to political parties, a NY Post review of Board of Elections filingsreveals.
de Blasio Never Returned Met Council Dirty Money
De Blasio never returned Met Council-related donations (Capital) Pledged in campaign to return contributions from a scandal-scarred donor.
More on the Rapfogel Scandal
Wayne Barrett Waves to All Those Goodbyes to Jail Bound Rapfogel
LOVE LETTERS FOR WILLIE RAPFOGEL (City and State)
The “Prince of the Jews” Is Saluted By The Mighty On His Way To Jail
Update Schneiderman's Answer THE AG’S REPLY: State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman responded to City & State’s questions about his handling of cases involving the Met Council board vs. the Puerto Rican Day Parade board, saying they were “completely different”:* * Prosecutors filed an application seeking to seize more of indicted Assemblyman Sheldon Silver’s assets, including those held by third parties and payments from the firm Goldberg & Iryami, Capital New Yorkreports
AG Who Gets Campaign Contributions From Taxi Industry, Tried to Stop UBER
Over 100 Years Ago Tammany Hall Went After the Subway Developers to Protect the Horse Carriage Taxi Industry
Rapfogel the Crook Gets Kid Gloves Court Treatment to Pay Off Debt
Met Council Former CFO 4 Months for Stealing 9 Million?
How Many Poor People in NY Go to Jail for 5 Years of Robbing A 711? A Tale Two Cities
New York - Former Met Council CFO Sentenced To 4 Months For Role In Stealing $9m In Kickback Scheme * Met Council's former chief financial officer sentenced for role in massive kickback scheme (NYDN) * Elderly city Jewish charity thief sentenced to 4 months in jail(NYP) A Manhattan judge Tuesday sentenced an elderly crony of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s close pal William Rapfogel to four months in jail for helping steal $9 million from the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty.* Herbert Friedman, the former chief financial officer of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, was sentenced to pay $775,000 and serve four months in jail for his role in a kickback scheme that also ensnared former CEO William Rapfogel, the Journal reports:
Herbert Friedman, the former chief financial officer for the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, was sentenced to four months in jail for his role in a massive kickback scheme.
Calculation behind charity? Despite scandal, Developer Bruce Ratner sticks with the Met Council http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2014/05/calculation-behind-charity-despite.html …
Willie Rapfogel, Advance Group Push Public Camapign Financing
Keeping discredited Board of Elex in control of public money in campaign finance reform plan could doom negotiations * Cuomo is now using public financing as an excuse NOT to close campaign finance loopholes.
Met Council's Rapfogel Pals Convictions Keep Coming . . .
Rapfogel Plea Deal How Many Will Go
Rapfogel crony guilty in theft from Jewish charity(NYP)
Herbert Friedman, 80, once the chief financial officer of the charity known as the Met Council, will have to cough up $775,000 in restitution and serve four months behind bars in exchange for his guilty plea to felony grand larceny and conspiracy charges under a plea deal announced by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Philanthropist Admits Stealing More Than $1 Million From Charity(NYT) His wife, Judy, the longtime chief of staff to Mr. Silver, was not there; neither was Mr. Silver, who over the years has allocated millions of public dollars to Met Council. According to a plea agreement filed in court and an earlier criminal complaint, Mr. Rapfogel gave about $350,000 of the stolen funds to one of his three sons to buy a home. Neither Mr. Silver nor Ms. Rapfogel has been linked to the financial irregularities at the Met Council, and they have denied any knowledge of Mr. Rapfogel’s activities. The assembly speaker issued a terse statement about Mr. Rapfogel’s plea, saying simply: “I am deeply saddened by this entire episode.” Ms. Rapfogel declined to comment through a spokesman, Stu Loeser.* Nonprofit boss diverted $360K to fund luxe trips, shopping sprees
More on Rapfogel's Non Profit Tax Shelters Connects to political payoffs
Albany's Pay to Plan Funding
As the NYP Does Their Song and Dance Against Public Funding of Campaigns, They Miss The Story That Albany legislators Fund Programs That Give Them Campaign Contributions . . . That is A Federal Crime
The rap on Rapfogel(NYP Ed) The details of the Rapfogel operation tell us that the supposed cure for Albany’s corruption — public financing of campaigns — will only invite more corruption. Here’s how it worked: Rapfogel overcharged for insurance policies, then skimmed off the extra funds in cash-filled envelopes, some of which he kept and the rest of which he handed over to the campaigns of pols who then gave his organization taxpayer-funded grants.
What Will Happen to the Elected Officials Who got campaign contribution for contributing to Met Council? Will They Even Be Named?
Mr. Rapfogel also funneled some of the illicit money to candidates running for office, asking Mr. Ross to make contributions not only in his name but also in the names of his employees and partners in the company. “These campaign contributions were made to politicians Willie and I thought would help Met Council — mainly, candidates for city elected offices,” Mr. Cohen told the judge. A criminal complaint filed against Mr. Ross said he had channeled at least $120,000 of the stolen funds to candidates for city office over the last 20 years. Met Council receives much of its funding through state and city grants and contracts, as well as from funds earmarked by individual lawmakers.
William Rapfogel, pal of Assembly Speaker Silver, to plead guilty to ripoff (NYDN) Former head of poverty nonprofit is likely to get 3 to 10 years in plea deal. He’s also expected to agree to pay more than $3 million in restitution. Rabbi David Cohen, the former Met Council executive director, is also expected to plead guilty Wednesday for his role in the scheme, sources said. Rapfogel was charged in August with heading a two-decade $7 million kickback scam. He is accused of purchasing insurance policies at inflated prices using the Met Council’s money and then receiving more than $1 million in kickbacks from Century Coverage Corp., the agent that sold them. Investigators say he stashed as much as $400,000 in the East Side co-op and Monticello home he owns with his wife, Silver chief of staff Judy Rapfogel.Rapfogel is also charged with steering campaign contributions from the insurance company to city and state officials who had helped fund Met Council, including Silver, his longtime friend.Rapfogel was charged with grand larceny, money laundering, criminal tax fraud, conspiracy, falsifying business records, offering a false instrument for filing. Update: * William Rapfogel entered a guilty plea in Manhattan’s State Supreme Court and faces 3 1/3 to 10 years in prison and must pay $3 million in restitution, of which he has paid $1.8 million to date, The New York Times reports:
The
News also reported that several people have been soliciting members
of the city’s Orthodox Jewish community in hopes of raising $3.1 million
that can be put toward restitution. Silver and Judy Rapfogel have
denied any knowledge of William Rapfogel’s alleged criminal activities* William Rapfogel to plead guilty for his role in $7M theft(NYP)He
also allegedly directed Ross and other employees at Century
Coverage to make numerous donations to political campaigns and
politicians – including the powerful Assembly speaker.And he directed
that the donations be made in small amounts to
maximize the amount of “matching funds” that would come from the
city.Ross previously copped a plea to grand larceny, money laundering
and
tax fraud and was believed to be cooperating with prosecutors from state
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office.* Willie Rapfogel Repotedly Set To Plead Guilty In Met Council Scam JP Updates* Rapfogel to Plead Guilty in Scheme to Steal Millions From Charity(NYT) Negotiations over the pleas have dragged on for months, and another
person with knowledge of the talks was unsure whether the proceedings
would go off as planned. Some
of the money was used to make donations to politicians and political
organizations in the names of Century Coverage’s employees. But
much of it ended up in Mr. Rapfogel’s hands, delivered as cash payments
stuffed in envelopes, according to the criminal complaint.
Investigators estimated he received more than $1 million; more than
$400,000 in cash was found hidden in his Lower East Side apartment and
in his home in Monticello, N.Y. Mr. Rapfogel was a longtime friend and political ally of Mr. Silver, the
speaker of the State Assembly. Since the allegations surfaced, however,
Mr. Silver has repudiated him, saying in a recent interview, “I have
nothing to do with Willie Rapfogel.”* Speaker Silver pal Rapfogel pleads guilty to $9M charity scam(NYP)
Pablo Guzmán
Former Modern Orthodox Met Council Head: Help Me Raise $$ So I Can Stay Out Of Prison
William E. Rapfogel
From the Failed Messiah Blog
The Long Goodbye Of Speaker Silver Begins
Wednesday Update
Amazing look at New York power brokers ensuring...inertia
Sunday Update - "Mr. Silver and Mr. Rapfogel steadfastly opposed any mention of affordable housing ..." They Kept a Lower East Side Lot Vacant for 47 Years. The long-ago walk was the first public display of an alliance that became central to the lives and careers of both Mr. Rapfogel and Mr. Silver. They worked together across the decades while climbing parallel ladders: Mr. Silver to Assembly speaker and Mr. Rapfogel to leadership of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, a large, publicly financed charity. But their long affiliation came to an abrupt end last year when Mr. Rapfogel, 59, was arrested and charged in a scheme that had allegedly looted more than $7 million in kickbacks from Met Council’s insurance broker over the years.
A
primary focus of their alliance had been a struggle to preserve the
Jewish identity of the neighborhood they delivered for Mr. Koch all
those years ago. Their
battleground was some 20 barren acres along the southern side of
Delancey Street, where, in 1967, the city leveled blocks of rundown
apartment buildings.
Silver Lobbyists Team
Loeser has been consulting for the speaker for the past year along with
Silver’s chief political adviser Jonathan Rosen; the Times and others noted the arrangement
after Loeser came on board. “My role for Shelly is not to speak for
him, but to offer advice,”
Loeser said. But “in this case it seemed clear that someone had to speak
for Judy.” Judy Rapfogel remains a personal friend, Loeser noted. Mr.
Loeser’s wife, Jessica, once ran Mr. Silver’s district office and is
now a district leader in Mr. Silver’s Assembly district. Jessica is a lobbyists "zoning, economic development incentives, real estate transactions, landmarks preservation, and government relations.* Ex-Mayoral Aide to Help Assembly Speaker in Harassment Case (NYT) He will work closely with Mr. Silver’s main political consultant, Jonathan Rosen. The Silver Ratner Rapfogel Atlantic Yards Joined At the Hip
But
months later, he and Mr. Rapfogel quietly put their weight behind
yet another new plan, from a handpicked developer who included no
housing. According to official memos, Mr. Silver asked city officials to
approve a “big box” store, like Costco, on the site. The developer,
Bruce Ratner, would build it. The sponsor would be the South Manhattan
Development Corporation, which Mr. Rapfogel then headed. The Rapfogels’
eldest son, Michael, finished law school in 2005 and soon
went to work for Mr. Ratner. The job was seen internally as a way to
please Mr. Silver, say people familiar with the son’s work; Mr. Ratner’s
company rejects the notion. In 2006, the Public Authorities Control
Board, over which Mr. Silver has significant control, approved Mr.
Ratner’s Atlantic Yards
project in Brooklyn. Intervention by Mr. Silver and others enabled the
project to retain a lucrative tax break, even as that break was actually
being phased out. In
2008, Forest City Ratner, which compared to other developers makes few
political contributions, gave $58,420 to the Democratic Assembly
Housekeeping Committee, which is controlled by Mr. Silver. That
same year, Mr. Ratner helped raise $1 million for Met Council and was
honored at a luncheon given by Mr. Rapfogel and Mr. Silver. “Bruce is
responsible for much of the development and growth that’s gone on in
Brooklyn and in Manhattan,” Mr. Silver said at the event. “He is a major
force in New York City for the good.”* How Bruce Ratner Wins Approval for his Projects * New Met Council Head Steering Group Away From Politics(Jewish Week) * Speaker Silver allegedly kept SPURA empty for decades (Real Deal) Together Silver and William Rapfogel sought to preserve the area's Jewish character
Illegal Petitions UJC?
Officials from the United Jewish Council of the East Side were involved in the signature-gathering effort for Gerson and a host of other candidates - including Silver himself, who is running to be a delegate to the Democratic judicial nominating convention - an effort that threatens the group's tax-exempt status.
Buzz: Rapfogel Sentence Fight
The call has gone out to friends of Willie Rapfogel to write letters describing how the indicted former Met Council leader help the community. The word on the street is that the prosecutors want Rapfogel to rat on Silver and his other pay to play political friends. No word yet if the elected offices who sent member items funds to the Met Council in return for cash will face legal charges or even be named.
Two More Charged in Rapfogel Case
We need Jerry Brown in NY! Our "reformers" in NY spend all their pol capital on criticizing street cops while ignoring the corrupt pol syst!
Sal Albanese
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Non Profit's Dark Pool$
NYP Secret Pots of Public Dollars Guarantee Corruption
Rapfogel’s Albany enablers(NYP Ed)The report is called “Spending in the Shadows,” and it cites $3 billion in “off-budget” cash that will be spent in New York this year via “ ‘lump sum’ pots of money” on the sheer say-so of individual politicians. It’s a sweet setup for the pols, their pet projects and the groups that get the taxpayer cash. Remember, Rapfogel’s Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty got $90 million from all government sources last year. Thanks to secret money “pots,” key budget decisions don’t have to be debated publicly. They can be made after the budget is passed, on the whims of individual officials, and kept from public view. Groups that get cash can then direct donations back to the pols who arranged the funding, just as Rapfogel is thought to have done. It points to scandals involving Sen. Malcolm Smith, ex-Sen. Shirley Huntley and ex-Assemblyman Vito Lopez as examples.* The Cuomo administration is putting a hold on new state contracts involving the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, with six contracts totaling $11.3 million set aside until the attorney general’s investigation is completed, the Daily News’ Ken Lovett writes * Former Bronx Charity Head Busted By NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman(NYDN) * Ex-Director of Charity Is Charged in Theft(NYT) * Penny Harvest Charitable Group to Stay Afloat With City Money(NYT)
__________________________________
2nd Indictment in Rapfogel Scandal
A second person has been indicted in the Met Council scandal, this time a Long Island insurance agent.* Insurer Charged With Theft From a Charity(NYT) Joseph Ross was arrested on Wednesday and charged with helping a
longtime Jewish community leader loot more than $7 million from the
Metropolitan New York Council on Jewish Poverty.The insurance company, Century Coverage in Valley Stream, N.Y., has
provided its services to the organization, known as Met Council, for
more than two decades. It appears that investigators have concluded that the amount of money
stolen between the early 1990s and August 2013 was greater than they had
believed. In the complaint charging Mr. Rapfogel, the total amount of the theft
was listed as in excess of $5 million. But the complaint against Mr.
Ross says the total amount of money stolen was in excess of $7 million.* Disgraced Sheldon Silver pal gave kickback money to politicians: alleged co-conspirator(NYDN)
William Rapfogel, the former head of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, ordered some of the $7 million in illicit profits from the charity kickback scheme to go to politicians, his alleged co-conspirator said. Joseph Ross, whose insurance brokerage company was allegedly involved in the scheme, says that he regularly delivered to Rapfogel checks for political contributions.
William Rapfogel, the former head of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, ordered some of the $7 million in illicit profits from the charity kickback scheme to go to politicians, his alleged co-conspirator said. Joseph Ross, whose insurance brokerage company was allegedly involved in the scheme, says that he regularly delivered to Rapfogel checks for political contributions.
Rapfogel Public Matching Fund Corruption Scandal
A
Sheldon Silver pal who’s enmeshed in a massive charity kickback
scheme ordered some of the illicit profits to go to politicians, his
alleged co-conspirator said. A filing Thursday by the state Attorney
General’s Office says Joseph
Ross admitted that former Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty head
William Rapfogel told him “to make contributions to campaigns of various
politicians and to political organizations” using some of the $7
million in kickback money they’d pocketed over the years. The complaint
against Mr. Ross, which was sworn out by Gerard Matheson,
an investigator with the attorney general’s office, said that Mr.
Rapfogel used some of the stolen money to provide political
contributions to candidates for city, state and federal offices in the
names of Century owners and employees. It said that Mr. Rapfogel
instructed Mr. Ross to make contributions to various candidates and
political organizations, and that Mr. Ross regularly delivered checks
for the contributions to Mr. Rapfogel. The complaint said that more than
$120,000 was provided to candidates
for city offices, and tens of thousands of dollars more went to
candidates for state and federal offices. Met Council, a nonprofit
organization that receives tens of millions of
dollars in city, state and federal financing, cannot legally make such
contributions itself.* Insurer charged with theft from NYC Jewish charity(WSJ)
Rapfogel's Non Profit Tax Shelters Connects to political payoffs _______________________________________________________
More Problems For Speaker Silver
An Anonymous Whistle-Blower Exposed a Scandal at a Jewish Charity: A letter sent to the board of directors of the Metropolitan New York Council on Jewish Poverty
Did Vito Lopez Drop A Dime on Silver and Rapfogel For Revenge?
An Anonymous Whistle-Blower Exposed a Scandal at a Jewish Charity(NYT) it says Met Council directed skimmed monies to pols who gave them grants. A letter sent to the board of directors of the Metropolitan New York Council of Jewish Poverty led to the firing of its chief executive, William E. Rapfogel.* Times digs into investigation of the Met Council's Rapfogel; will it touch Silver and/or Forest City?(Atlantic Yards Report) The Met Council scandal that cost Willie Rapfogel his job was revealed not by an audit or other government effort, but through a whistle-blower’s letter, highlighting the lack of oversight of nonprofits. The Metropolitan New York Council on Jewish Poverty scandal, where insurance money was improperly siphoned off, “has the potential for significant political ramifications,” according to the Times. According to one allegation, the money was also given “to politicians who supply the government grants to the nonprofit organization.” William Rapfogel's Non Profit Tax Shelters Connects to political payoffs (True News Investigation)FBI Found $400,000 in Rapfogel House -Where did he get this kind of Cash?
The Met Council scandal & NY’s nonprofit nightmare(NYP)
Sheldon Silver pal busted for theft, money laundering(NYP) The arrest came after an investigation by the offices of state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli into funny business involving the charity’s books and insurance policies.*Former Chief of Jewish Charity Stole Money Early and Often, Prosecutors Say(NYT) * Ex-Charity Chief Is Charged(WSJ)* Ex-powerbroker and charity CEO William Rapfogel charged in $5M theft(NYDN)
* William Rapfogel Scandal Widens as Met Council Axes Key Consultant(Forward) Dovid Cohen Bounced on Same Day as Disgraced Chief. The Metropolitcan Council on Jewish Poverty ended a long-term relationship with its former executive director on the same day that it fired his successor, William Rapfogel, who has since been charged in a $5 million kickback scheme, the Forward has learned. Rabbi Dovid Cohen who ran the group in the 1980s, was dumped as a paid fundraising consultant for the Jewish anti-poverty agency in August, an individual familiar with the Met Council said. Because of the ongoing investigation, the source declined to be identified.
________________________________________
Rapfogel Corruption Closing In On Silver
SILVER PUSHING JUNE PRIMARY Once Again, Assembly Pushing June Primary * Assembly Democrats introduced legislation to move the state’s primaries from September to June to save an estimated $50 million, but Senate Republicans have balked at the bill in the past, Gannett reports * the mass exodus theory: "entire class of the most senior members could retire w/ Silver should he decide 2 step down" * Former Assembly Speaker Mel Miller thinks Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle has a shot at succeeding the current speaker, Sheldon Silver, even though he’s an upstater.
Judy Hires A Lawyer As Her Council Contributions Connects to Slush Fund Brokerage Firm* Judy Rapfogel has ties to insurance broker her husband is charged with fleecing
Lovett: Judy Rapfogel hires lawyer as investigators probe husband's alleged $5M kickback scheme (NYDN) State investigators spoke to Sheldon Silver's chief of staff about her knowledge of former Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty CEO William Rapfogel's alleged kickback scheme. Investigators believe he hid up to $400,000 in the couple's homes. Judy Rapfogel, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s chief of staff, has hired a lawyer in connection with her husband’s criminal case, with investigators interviewing her about what she knew of his alleged $5 million kickback scheme
Today's NYT Article casts some doubt on Judy (and Lovett: Judy Rapfogel hires lawyer as investigators probe husband's alleged $5M kickback scheme (NYDN) State investigators spoke to Sheldon Silver's chief of staff about her knowledge of former Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty CEO William Rapfogel's alleged kickback scheme. Investigators believe he hid up to $400,000 in the couple's homes. Judy Rapfogel, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s chief of staff, has hired a lawyer in connection with her husband’s criminal case, with investigators interviewing her about what she knew of his alleged $5 million kickback scheme
The small Long Island insurance
brokerage that William Rapfogel padded payments to from his Metropolitan
Council on Jewish Poverty, was also paid by Rapfogel’s wife, Judy,
during her City Council campaign, The New York Times reports * The case against her husband has raised questions
about seemingly outsized car insurance payments Judy Rapfogel’s NYC
Council campaign made in 1997 to the same brokerage at the center of
William Rapfogel’s MetCouncil scandal.* A spokesman for Mr.
Silver said last week that Ms. Rapfogel was also not aware that her 1997
campaign had paid Century. “This was 16 years ago, and even then Judy’s
focus was on asking people
for their votes, not the office paperwork,” said the spokesman, Stu
Loeser.
Sheldon Silver says he hasn't spoken to friend accused of stealing $5 million from charity(NYDN)Judy Says She Never Knew About the 400,000 her Husband Hid in the House Sheldon Silver aide says she didn't know of husband's alleged theft (NYDN)
Part I True News Exclusive
How Tax Payer Are Being Fleased out of Hundreds of Millions of Tax Dollars By Real Estate billionaires
The Rapfogel scandal if properly investigated will expose how the biggest greedy real estate developer avoid paying any taxes on capital gains for their luxury developments. The city has lost 6000 cops and thousands of teachers because of this lost tax revenue from developers.
The Bloomberg Pfzer Payoff
.-
The Peter Fine Cover Up Connection to Carrion and Luxury Developers Tax Breaks
In 2010 investigators from the city Department of Investigation and the Manhattan district attorney’s office raided the Soho offices of Atlantic Development, reportedly part of an ongoing investigation of the firm’s possible use of cash to influence various projects. During the boom, Atlantic Development generated millions of dollars in revenue by selling the rights to 421-a tax certificates to developers Larry Silverstein and Joseph Moinian — a common exchange between affordable housing and luxury developers. Silverstein and Moinian, in turn, used the certificates to offset the expenses tied to luxury high-rise apartment buildings. As a top city official, mayoral hopeful Adolfo Carrion went to bat for a major developer who had arranged to provide an architect for renovations to Carrion’s Bronx home, the Daily News has learned. Carrion provided the help to developer Peter Fine when Carrion was Bronx Borough President and the developer was wrestling to win city approval for a $300 million project of apartments and retail space, Boricua Village.
Peter Fine's Atlantic Development so much money to pols that common causme wrote a press release about them: CommonCause/NY Responds to Daily News Exclusive about Adolfo Carrion & Peter
Common
Cause/NY Responds to Daily News Exclusive about Adolfo Carrion &
Peter Fine - See more at:
http://www.commoncause.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=5287775&ct=12989039#sthash.2LdRIuSK.dpuf
Mr.
Fine is among the most prolific political donors in New York. Since 2004, he
has personally given $458,130 in donations to state and city politicians and
committees. During this same period, aggregate donations from Atlantic
Development Group, Mr. Fine and his wife, and Atlantic Development Group
co-founder Marc Altheim and his wife total nearly $1 million. 
In a statement released by his lawyer, Mr. Rapfogel apologized for unspecified “mistakes” and said, “I will do everything possible to make amends.” "How deep does this go? It’s hard to say. The authorities might have had a better chance of flipping Rapfogel had they arrested him before this became public. In that case, they may have been able to accumulate evidence demonstrating complicity between Rapfogel and his allies in government. It’s a little strange frankly, that we know so much about this and the man at the center has already apologized and no one is in cuffs. All of that spells money being returned and slaps on wrists as one man takes the fall. More often than not it’s the feds who use RICO statutes to go after wider conspiracies involving government corruption. But this time it’s the AG and the Comptroller both of whom have ties to the Democratic establishment." YNN
After A NYP Editorial On Rapfogel's Albany Enables Cuomo Puts Hold On New State Contracts
The Cuomo administration is putting a hold on new state contracts involving the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, with six contracts totaling $11.3 million set aside until the attorney general’s investigation is completed, the Daily News’ Ken Lovett writes
The NYC Pols Were Getting Checks From Employees of A Long Island Insurance Firm and They Did Not Know Anything Was Wrong? Come on
Breaking II The End is Near For Silver
NYC finance commissioner David Frankel to replace Willie Rapfogel as head of Met Council
City
finance commissioner David Frankel is set to replace the embroiled
William Rapfogel as the head of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish
Poverty.
Poverty Group Appoints City Official as New Chief http://nyti.ms/1dkJYrc
Are the Feds Involved?
DiNapoli On Rapfogel Probe: ‘Stay Tuned’(YNN) “We’v been building strong relationships with law enforcement, whether
it’s local district attorneys or the attorney general and we’re working
with U.S. attorneys offices now more than we have in the past,” DiNapoli
said.
__________________________________________________________________________________
What is the Real Rapfogel Story
The Daily News Looks At the Campaign $$$ Rapfogel Gave Out But It Does Not Look At the Building Met Council Did and the Tax Credits They Gave Out to Luxury Developers
Sheldon Silver ally recently fired as CEO of Met Council under investigation for shady donations to politicians (NYDN) Investigators
are looking into whether William Rapfogel overpaid the insurance
provider for the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty and then
directed the provider to make political donations to politicians who
funded the Met Council. Investigators are looking into whether Rapfogel overpaid the Met
Council’s insurance provider, Century Coverage of Valley Stream, L.I.,
and then directed Century to make political donations to politicians who
funded his organization. They’re also looking into whether William Rapfogel pocketed kickbacks from the insurance provider.
An investigation by the Daily News has uncovered new evidence of Rapfogel helping politicians, apparently skirting a law that bars charities from getting involved in politics.
__________________________________________________________________________________
What is the Real Rapfogel Story
The Daily News Looks At the Campaign $$$ Rapfogel Gave Out But It Does Not Look At the Building Met Council Did and the Tax Credits They Gave Out to Luxury Developers
An investigation by the Daily News has uncovered new evidence of Rapfogel helping politicians, apparently skirting a law that bars charities from getting involved in politics.
Follow the money(NYDN Ed)
Met Council's Rapfogel got too cozy with the politicians who fund his organization
Silver's chief of staff tarnished by hubby's alleged kickback scandal(NYP) But Shelly’s standing by loyal aide
Sources close to Assembly Speaker
Sheldon Silver say he has no intention of firing his longtime Chief of
Staff Judy Rapfogel despite her husband being the focus of a criminal
investigation involving alleged kickbacks to his nonprofit
Silver gal tarnished by hubby
(NYP) She’s not staff, she’s family. For 37 years, Judy Rapfogel has been at
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s side. Now, as her husband potentially
faces jail, Silver has her back. Those close to the state’s second-most
powerful politician say the...
Piling On Silver (YNN)
Shelly pal booted in ‘kickback’ scam(NYP)Sources said Rapfogel is under criminal investigation for allegedly taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks in a scheme he allegedly concocted to inflate the council’s insurance bills so he could keep the overcharges for himself.
Kellner Loses A Union
32BJ rescinds its endorsement of Kellner and calls on him to drop out
Attorney General Investigating New York Power Broker(NYT The state attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman, is investigating
allegations of financial malfeasance involving William E. Rapfogel, the
president of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. * William Rapfogel Fired From Met Council Amid Criminal Probe(Jewish Forward)* Also, Comptroller DiNapoli is working with AG's office on investigation of Met Council, says spokeswoman Jennifer Freeman
Shelly
pal in charge of Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty being probed
for alleged 'financial irregularities' in group's insurance policies(NYP)* Cuomo still not denouncing Silver, amid more bad news http://bit.ly/1ctTdHI Rapfogel even served on AG Eric Schneiderman’s advisory panel on nonprofit revitalization, but now he’s in the AG’s cross hairs. * City comptroller candidate Eliot
Spitzer attacked Scott Stringer for his support of a Midtown rezoning
plan during a debate, prompting Greg David of Crain’s to guess that
internal polling shows it to be unpopular: http://bit.ly/13Wk7Co
.@Jonathan4NY and @MelissaRusso4NY report a Jewish charity group leader being investigated for misuse of tax dollars. http://bit.ly/14p9Da6 William Rapfogel: "After 21 years at the Metropolitan Council...I deeply
regret the mistakes I have made that led to my departure." * "Investigation is looking 2c where the $ went & which mayoral candidates might have received improper funding"* Here's a link where Quinn cut funding that went to a sister organization to the Met Council * "The invitees include Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty CEO William Rapfogel" http://politicker.com/2013/07/quinn-plans-secret-strategy-session-with-prominent-backers/ … *William Rapfogel: I Apologize(NYDN)
Rapfogel Off Facebook and Twitter
Christine Quinn returns $25,000 in campaign donations tied to insurance firm at center of William Rapfogel scandal, rep says.
bill thompson spx says campaign will see if rapfogel scandal dates back to when he received money from insurance company at center of probe
Silver Never Knows Anything Mr. Rapfogel’s lawyer, Paul Shechtman, said his client’s conduct was not known to Mr. Silver. “Whatever Willie did, his wife and Speaker Silver knew nothing about it,” Mr. Shechtman said.
Bill Thompson received $15,350 since 2003, none in the current mayoral cycle. Bill de Blasio received $1,650 in the last election cycle and Anthony Weiner received a single $4,900 donation that is being used in the current cycle. A de Blasio rep said the campaign would be returning the $1,650 from its 2009 account.
Spitzer says comptroller "shouldn't be political, esp when it comes to the pension funds ... Invest with caution."*@JimmyVielkind Haile Rivera, a Democratic candidate for #nyassembly, is calling on @ShellySilver to resign immediately. Benjamin Brafman, a lawyer representing Joseph Ross, the insurance
company’s chief executive, said only, “Mr. Ross is aware of the
investigation and intends to address the issues raised in a responsible
fashion.”
Was there gambling also going on in Silver's Place?
Silver Stunned And Saddened By Rapfogel News: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he is both stunned and sadd...
Silver Never Knows Anything
Investigators are, among other angles, looking at the relationship between Mr. Rapfogel and Century Coverage Corporation, an insurance company based in Valley Stream, N.Y., according to people familiar with the investigation. Investigators are focusing in particular on generous contributions that the company’s chief executive, Joseph Ross, and other employees have made to candidates for New York City offices. The company’s employees have given almost $120,000 to various candidates since the late 1990s, including $26,175 to several candidates in 2013. Company officials could not immediately be reached for comment. *
CFB Show Us the Money Shelly
pal in charge of Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty being probed
for alleged 'financial irregularities' in group's insurance policies(NYP)* Cuomo still not denouncing Silver, amid more bad news http://bit.ly/1ctTdHI Rapfogel even served on AG Eric Schneiderman’s advisory panel on nonprofit revitalization, but now he’s in the AG’s cross hairs. * City comptroller candidate Eliot
Spitzer attacked Scott Stringer for his support of a Midtown rezoning
plan during a debate, prompting Greg David of Crain’s to guess that
internal polling shows it to be unpopular: http://bit.ly/13Wk7Co
Rapfogel Off Facebook and Twitter
Christine Quinn returns $25,000 in campaign donations tied to insurance firm at center of William Rapfogel scandal, rep says.
bill thompson spx says campaign will see if rapfogel scandal dates back to when he received money from insurance company at center of probe
Silver Never Knows Anything Mr. Rapfogel’s lawyer, Paul Shechtman, said his client’s conduct was not known to Mr. Silver. “Whatever Willie did, his wife and Speaker Silver knew nothing about it,” Mr. Shechtman said.
Bill Thompson received $15,350 since 2003, none in the current mayoral cycle. Bill de Blasio received $1,650 in the last election cycle and Anthony Weiner received a single $4,900 donation that is being used in the current cycle. A de Blasio rep said the campaign would be returning the $1,650 from its 2009 account.
Spitzer says comptroller "shouldn't be political, esp when it comes to the pension funds ... Invest with caution."*
Silver Stunned And Saddened By Rapfogel News: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he is both stunned and sadd...
Silver Never Knows Anything
Mr. Rapfogel’s lawyer, Paul Shechtman, said his client’s conduct was not
known to Mr. Silver. “Whatever Willie did, his wife and Speaker Silver
knew nothing about it,” Mr. Shechtman said.
Investigators are, among other angles, looking at the relationship between Mr. Rapfogel and Century Coverage Corporation, an insurance company based in Valley Stream, N.Y., according to people familiar with the investigation. Investigators are focusing in particular on generous contributions that the company’s chief executive, Joseph Ross, and other employees have made to candidates for New York City offices. The company’s employees have given almost $120,000 to various candidates since the late 1990s, including $26,175 to several candidates in 2013. Company officials could not immediately be reached for comment. *
Key Ally To Sheldon Silver Under Investigation For Financial Improprieties At Non-Profit Group(NYDN)
.@metcouncil head William Rapfogel fired amid criminal probe http://cny.bz/19ZqoAS
"Hank Sheinkopf said Mr. Rapfogel's legal predicament will likely make more trouble for Mr. Silver."
___________________________________________________________________________________
A Strange Investigation
NYP AG Who Is Investigating Rapfogel Conflict of Interest
Records show that state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was friendly with William Rapfogel, whom he is investigating in a kickback scheme, though his office said their past history would not impact the criminal probe
AG’s history with ‘kickback’ honcho(NYP)
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was friendly with social-services honcho William Rapfogel before launching acriminal probe of him, records show. Schniederman
appointed Rapfogel, the former longtime CEO of the Metropolitan Council
on Jewish Poverty, to serve on his 32-member advisory panel on
nonprofit revitalization in 2011.
Hoping to secure their standing with the next administration, New York City taxi and livery car companies have poured money into the mayoral candidates’ campaigns
Breaking II The End is Near For Silver
NYC finance commissioner David Frankel to replace Willie Rapfogel as head of Met Council
Silver gal tarnished by hubby
(NYP) She’s not staff, she’s family. For 37 years, Judy Rapfogel has been at
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s side. Now, as her husband potentially
faces jail, Silver has her back. Those close to the state’s second-most
powerful politician say the...
Sources said Rapfogel is under criminal investigation for allegedly taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks in a scheme he allegedly concocted to inflate the council’s insurance bills so he could keep the overcharges for himself.
Century Coverage Corporation Has Given Money Too:
Maria Ayaoro, Adolfo Carrion, Bill De Blasio, Inez Dinkens, Erik Dilan, Fernado Ferrer, Michael Gianaris, Sara Gonzalez, Betsey Gotbaum, Melinda Katz, Jessica Lappin, Steven Levin,Gifford Miller, Hiram Monnserater, James Oddo, Christine Quinn, William Thomas, Peter Vallone, Anthony Weiner, David Weprin, David Yassky
.
"Hank Sheinkopf said Mr. Rapfogel's legal predicament will likely make more trouble for Mr. Silver."
___________________________________________________________________________________
A Strange Investigation
NYP AG Who Is Investigating Rapfogel Conflict of Interest
Records show that state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was friendly with William Rapfogel, whom he is investigating in a kickback scheme, though his office said their past history would not impact the criminal probe
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was friendly with social-services honcho William Rapfogel before launching a
Hoping to secure their standing with the next administration, New York City taxi and livery car companies have poured money into the mayoral candidates’ campaigns
Breaking II The End is Near For Silver
NYC finance commissioner David Frankel to replace Willie Rapfogel as head of Met Council
City
finance commissioner David Frankel is set to replace the embroiled
William Rapfogel as the head of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish
Poverty.
Poverty Group Appoints City Official as New Chief http://nyti.ms/1dkJYrc
Are the Feds Involved?
DiNapoli On Rapfogel Probe: ‘Stay Tuned’(YNN) “We’v been building strong relationships with law enforcement, whether
it’s local district attorneys or the attorney general and we’re working
with U.S. attorneys offices now more than we have in the past,” DiNapoli
said.
Follow the money(NYDN Ed)
Met Council's Rapfogel got too cozy with the politicians who fund his organization
Silver's chief of staff tarnished by hubby's alleged kickback scandal(NYP) But Shelly’s standing by loyal aide
Sources close to Assembly Speaker
Sheldon Silver say he has no intention of firing his longtime Chief of
Staff Judy Rapfogel despite her husband being the focus of a criminal
investigation involving alleged kickbacks to his nonprofitSilver gal tarnished by hubby
(NYP) She’s not staff, she’s family. For 37 years, Judy Rapfogel has been at
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s side. Now, as her husband potentially
faces jail, Silver has her back. Those close to the state’s second-most
powerful politician say the...
Piling On Silver (YNN)
Shelly pal booted in ‘kickback’ scam(NYP)Sources said Rapfogel is under criminal investigation for allegedly taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks in a scheme he allegedly concocted to inflate the council’s insurance bills so he could keep the overcharges for himself.
Attorney General Investigating New York Power Broker(NYT The state attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman, is investigating
allegations of financial malfeasance involving William E. Rapfogel, the
president of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. * William Rapfogel Fired From Met Council Amid Criminal Probe(Jewish Forward)* Also, Comptroller DiNapoli is working with AG's office on investigation of Met Council, says spokeswoman Jennifer Freeman
Shelly
pal in charge of Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty being probed
for alleged 'financial irregularities' in group's insurance policies(NYP)* Cuomo still not denouncing Silver, amid more bad news http://bit.ly/1ctTdHI Rapfogel even served on AG Eric Schneiderman’s advisory panel on nonprofit revitalization, but now he’s in the AG’s cross hairs. * City comptroller candidate Eliot
Spitzer attacked Scott Stringer for his support of a Midtown rezoning
plan during a debate, prompting Greg David of Crain’s to guess that
internal polling shows it to be unpopular: http://bit.ly/13Wk7Co
.@Jonathan4NY and @MelissaRusso4NY report a Jewish charity group leader being investigated for misuse of tax dollars. http://bit.ly/14p9Da6 William Rapfogel: "After 21 years at the Metropolitan Council...I deeply
regret the mistakes I have made that led to my departure." * "Investigation is looking 2c where the $ went & which mayoral candidates might have received improper funding"* Here's a link where Quinn cut funding that went to a sister organization to the Met Council * "The invitees include Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty CEO William Rapfogel" http://politicker.com/2013/07/quinn-plans-secret-strategy-session-with-prominent-backers/ … *William Rapfogel: I Apologize(NYDN)
Rapfogel Off Facebook and Twitter
Christine Quinn returns $25,000 in campaign donations tied to insurance firm at center of William Rapfogel scandal, rep says.
bill thompson spx says campaign will see if rapfogel scandal dates back to when he received money from insurance company at center of probe
Silver Never Knows Anything Mr. Rapfogel’s lawyer, Paul Shechtman, said his client’s conduct was not known to Mr. Silver. “Whatever Willie did, his wife and Speaker Silver knew nothing about it,” Mr. Shechtman said.
Bill Thompson received $15,350 since 2003, none in the current mayoral cycle. Bill de Blasio received $1,650 in the last election cycle and Anthony Weiner received a single $4,900 donation that is being used in the current cycle. A de Blasio rep said the campaign would be returning the $1,650 from its 2009 account.
Spitzer says comptroller "shouldn't be political, esp when it comes to the pension funds ... Invest with caution."*@JimmyVielkind Haile Rivera, a Democratic candidate for #nyassembly, is calling on @ShellySilver to resign immediately. Benjamin Brafman, a lawyer representing Joseph Ross, the insurance
company’s chief executive, said only, “Mr. Ross is aware of the
investigation and intends to address the issues raised in a responsible
fashion.”
Sheldon Silver says he hasn't spoken to friend accused of stealing $5 million from charity(NYDN)
Judy Says She Never Knew About the 400,000 her Husband Hid in the House Sheldon Silver aide says she didn't know of husband's alleged theft ...(NYDN)
Was there gambling also going on in Silver's Place?
Silver Stunned And Saddened By Rapfogel News: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he is both stunned and sadd...
Silver Never Knows Anything
Investigators are, among other angles, looking at the relationship between Mr. Rapfogel and Century Coverage Corporation, an insurance company based in Valley Stream, N.Y., according to people familiar with the investigation. Investigators are focusing in particular on generous contributions that the company’s chief executive, Joseph Ross, and other employees have made to candidates for New York City offices. The company’s employees have given almost $120,000 to various candidates since the late 1990s, including $26,175 to several candidates in 2013. Company officials could not immediately be reached for comment. *
Shelly
pal in charge of Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty being probed
for alleged 'financial irregularities' in group's insurance policies(NYP)* Cuomo still not denouncing Silver, amid more bad news http://bit.ly/1ctTdHI Rapfogel even served on AG Eric Schneiderman’s advisory panel on nonprofit revitalization, but now he’s in the AG’s cross hairs. * City comptroller candidate Eliot
Spitzer attacked Scott Stringer for his support of a Midtown rezoning
plan during a debate, prompting Greg David of Crain’s to guess that
internal polling shows it to be unpopular: http://bit.ly/13Wk7CoRapfogel Off Facebook and Twitter
Christine Quinn returns $25,000 in campaign donations tied to insurance firm at center of William Rapfogel scandal, rep says.
bill thompson spx says campaign will see if rapfogel scandal dates back to when he received money from insurance company at center of probe
Silver Never Knows Anything Mr. Rapfogel’s lawyer, Paul Shechtman, said his client’s conduct was not known to Mr. Silver. “Whatever Willie did, his wife and Speaker Silver knew nothing about it,” Mr. Shechtman said.
Bill Thompson received $15,350 since 2003, none in the current mayoral cycle. Bill de Blasio received $1,650 in the last election cycle and Anthony Weiner received a single $4,900 donation that is being used in the current cycle. A de Blasio rep said the campaign would be returning the $1,650 from its 2009 account.
Spitzer says comptroller "shouldn't be political, esp when it comes to the pension funds ... Invest with caution."*
Sheldon Silver says he hasn't spoken to friend accused of stealing $5 million from charity(NYDN)Judy Says She Never Knew About the 400,000 her Husband Hid in the House Sheldon Silver aide says she didn't know of husband's alleged theft ...(NYDN)
Silver Stunned And Saddened By Rapfogel News: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he is both stunned and sadd...
Silver Never Knows Anything
Mr.
Rapfogel’s lawyer, Paul Shechtman, said his client’s conduct was not
known to Mr. Silver. “Whatever Willie did, his wife and Speaker Silver
knew nothing about it,” Mr. Shechtman said.
Investigators are, among other angles, looking at the relationship between Mr. Rapfogel and Century Coverage Corporation, an insurance company based in Valley Stream, N.Y., according to people familiar with the investigation. Investigators are focusing in particular on generous contributions that the company’s chief executive, Joseph Ross, and other employees have made to candidates for New York City offices. The company’s employees have given almost $120,000 to various candidates since the late 1990s, including $26,175 to several candidates in 2013. Company officials could not immediately be reached for comment. *
Key Ally To Sheldon Silver Under Investigation For Financial Improprieties At Non-Profit Group(NYDN)
.@metcouncil head William Rapfogel fired amid criminal probe http://cny.bz/19ZqoAS
"Hank Sheinkopf said Mr. Rapfogel's legal predicament will likely make more trouble for Mr. Silver."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corruption Does Not Stop A Non Profit
Scandalized nonprofit receives federal ObamaCare contract(NYP) Met Council former executive director William Rapfogel — a close pal of
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver — was charged last week with inflating
insurance bills and siphoning $5 million from the nonprofit over a
20-year period.
Meet Rapfogel's New Roommates
Former state senator Pedro Espada & former councilman Larry Seabrook are locked up in the same facility [Bob Kappstatter]
.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Met Council Fall Out
Follow the money(NYDN Ed)
Met Council's Rapfogel got too cozy with the politicians who fund his organization
.
"Hank Sheinkopf said Mr. Rapfogel's legal predicament will likely make more trouble for Mr. Silver."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corruption Does Not Stop A Non Profit
Meet Rapfogel's New Roommates
.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Met Council Fall Out
Poverty Group Appoints City Official as New Chief(NYT)
The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty named David M. Frankel, the
city’s finance commissioner, as executive director to replace William E.
Rapfogel, who was fired last week. * NYC charity under criminal probe getting new chief(WSJ)
Silver's chief of staff tarnished by hubby's alleged kickback scandal(NYP) But Shelly’s standing by loyal aide
Sources close to Assembly Speaker
Sheldon Silver say he has no intention of firing his longtime Chief of
Staff Judy Rapfogel despite her husband being the focus of a criminal
investigation involving alleged kickbacks to his nonprofitCentury Coverage Corporation Has Given Money Too:
Maria Ayaoro, Adolfo Carrion, Bill De Blasio, Inez Dinkens, Erik Dilan, Fernado Ferrer, Michael Gianaris, Sara Gonzalez, Betsey Gotbaum, Melinda Katz, Jessica Lappin, Steven Levin,Gifford Miller, Hiram Monnserater, James Oddo, Christine Quinn, William Thomas, Peter Vallone, Anthony Weiner, David Weprin, David Yassky
A search on @NYCCFB didn't show any 2013 donations by Century Coverage employees nyc-mayor-2013.blogspot.com/2013/08/Christ… @davidwchen @unitedNYblogs
City Coucil candidate Vito Lopez cancels second public appearance in 5 days
NYP Are Asking AG and Comptroller to Investigate What Pols Who Gave $$$ to Rapfogel Got in Return
Albany’s Rapfogel problem(NYP) Albany watchdogs are vowing to “follow the money” that the head of a major Jewish charity is accused of stealing from the group. Question is, are they willing to follow it back to where it leads? Which is Albany. Great. But why stop there? As The Post wrote just last week, “the politicians and the system that provides taxpayer funding to groups like [the Met Council] scream out for equal scrutiny.” Was there a quid pro quo? Which pols got donations and then OK’d funding for the council? What other charities — and pols — are engaging in similar hanky-panky?
NYP AG Who Is Investigating Rapfogel Conflict of Interest
Records show that state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was friendly with William Rapfogel, whom he is investigating in a kickback scheme, though his office said their past history would not impact the criminal probe
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was friendly with social-services honcho William Rapfogel before launching a
Hoping to secure their standing with the next administration, New York City taxi and livery car companies have poured money into the mayoral candidates’ campaigns
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