Ulster Dems In Corruption Probe Thanks to de Blasio's CONY Money Laundering Scheme to Go Around the Election Law
While de Blasio and the press focus on Putnam $$$ laundering the FBI looks at the Terminator: Citizens United
Shocking de Blasio's and His Donors Who are Under Federal Investigation for Giving $ in 2014 Not Giving in 2016 But His Lobbyists Secret Agent Berlin Rosen is Involved in Both
Some donors who contributed heavily to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 2014 effort to flip the state Senate are now working to help the GOP retain control of the chamber, while others have stayed away from the races, The New York Times reports. * De Blasio steered clear of Senate races because of investigation (NYP) Mayor de Blasio said Friday that he didn’t get involved in state Senate races this year because his previous effort in 2014 remains under scrutiny by investigators. Federal and state investigators are examining whether de Blasio and some of his top aides participated in an illegal fund-raising scheme two years ago aimed at electing Democrats to the state Senate. Federal and state investigators are examining whether de Blasio and some of his top aides participated in an illegal fund-raising scheme two years ago aimed at electing Democrats to the state Senate. De Blasio aides allegedly advised unions and wealthy supporters to write large checks to the Ulster and Putnam County Democratic committees, which in turn funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to the campaigns of three Democrats in tight races.
de Blasio's 2014 Senate Races Fund-Rasing Federal Subpoenas
Bill de Blasio’s efforts in 2014 to alter the tilt of the State Senate were ultimately unsuccessful, but his fund-raisers have drawn federal scrutiny.
The federal investigation of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s campaign fundraising has expanded to focus on efforts to raise money for Democratic candidates for the state Senate in 2014 Inquiry of Mayor de Blasio Fund-Raising Extends to ’14
de Blasio Sends Secret $$$ to Senate Dems in 2014 Thru Putnam Housekeeping Fund
de Blaso couple of hundred thousand dollars funneled through a Putnam County
de Blasio's Secret Senate Campaign Funding and His 2016 Funding Problems
More About Bus Lobbyists Ickes
Mayor de Blasio’s secret cash gifts (NYP July 23, 2014) On Tuesday, The Post’s Carl Campanile reported that several school-bus operators funneled $40,000 to the Campaign for One New York. This is the nonprofit founded by de Blasio allies after his election as mayor and devoted to promoting his agenda. * What's driving political donations(CrainsNY)Last month, a man named Alexis Lodde made a $100,000 donation to a Hudson Valley Democratic Party account. It was an exceptional gift from a Texan who until recently had never made a political contribution in New York . The donation came less than two months after employees at certain bus companies, including one owned by Mr. Lodde's firm, were given a $42 million grant pushed through by Mayor Bill de Blasio. Employees at Mr. Lodde's company are expected to be among the largest beneficiaries. The Daily News reported that Mr. de Blasio and associates raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the obscure campaign account—the Putnam County Democratic Committee, whose chairman quickly transferred $433,000 to help two Democratic state Senate candidates. The $42 million allows them to pay competitive salaries after having won the contracts with low bids. "It makes it possible for the companies to have labor peace," said Ms. Kellermann. MV Transportation had been a target of vandalism during a 2013 school-bus strike over its labor contracts.* De Blasio’s lobbyistpal has collected $862K since 2014 (NYP) A longtime pal of Mayor de Blasio has collected $862,550 as a lobbyist for 14 clients since the mayor took office in 2014 — compared to $61,305 off a single client the previous 12 years, according to city records. Harold Ickes operated out of Washington , DC , and didn’t even have a New York office until after de Blasio ascended to power. They include the American Beverage Association, which has shelled out $180,000 trying to limit Health Department restrictions on sugary drinks; JPMorganChase, which paid $172,500 in a failed bid to win subsidies to build new headquarters on the Far West Side; AEG Live, which shelled out $150,000 before scoring a permit to host a music festival on Randalls Island; and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181-1061, which spent $42,000 before Ickes delivered $42 million in taxpayer funds to boost private-bus driver salaries. When asked about Ickes’ influence at City Hall, mayoral spokesman Peter Kardushin said:
More About Bus Lobbyists Ickes
de Blasio's School Bus Pay to Play Lobbyists Ickes $40,000 for Campaign for 1NY and $100,000 for Senate Dems
If Former Brooklyn Boss Norman Was Sent to Jail For Coercing Candidates to Pay Thousands of Dollars To Favored Campaign Consultant. Senator . . . Why is Gianaris Getting Away With Doing the Same Deal With Parkside
DSCC requirement to use Parkside for mailers reminiscent of Norman's requirement to use Lendler [UPDATED] (Progress Queens) Former Brooklyn Democratic Party chair Clarence Norman was indicted and later convicted for requiring judicial candidates to use party-favored political campaign vendors. Prosecutors said Mr. Norman had coerced two candidates for civil court judge to pay thousands of dollars to favored campaign consultants, or lose his organization’s support in the 2002 primary. In due course, Mr. Norman was found guilty in a jury trial of "coercion, grand larceny by extortion and attempted grand larceny by extortion" stemming from charges of having "coerced two candidates for civil court judge to pay thousands of dollars to favored campaign consultants, or lose his organization’s support in the 2002 primary," according to a 2007 report published by The New York Times
Gianaris Forces Senate Candidates to Hire Parkside
de Blasio Defends His Record On Failing Schools
De Blasio pushes back against principals’ complaints over failing schools (NYP) Mayor de Blasio pushed back Thursday agaiDenst complaints by principals-union President Ernie Logan over how the city is running its lowest-performing schools, arguing he was elected to implement a “different vision” than his predecessor. In a public letter to his members this week, Logan complained that there were too many bureaucratic cooks in the kitchen at the 94 so-called Renewal Schools, and that principals don’t have nearly as much autonomy as they did under former Mayor Mike Bloomberg. But de Blasio fired back that he was picked for mayor because of his education platform. “If anyone says they would prefer the previous administration’s model, well, they should have voted for that. We have a different vision,” de Blasio said at the high-performing HS for Arts & Business in Queens . * De Blasio pushed back against complaints by principals-union President Ernie Logan over how the city is running its lowest-performing schools, arguing he was elected to implement a “different vision” than his predecessor.
de Blasio Caught At Making Nice to Flanagan At the Same Time He is Trying to Defeat Him- Meeting Off
Mayor School Control On the Table
Mayor deBlasio’s plans to make nice with state Legislature foiled again (NYDN) New Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan was set to meet face-to-face with the mayor a week after Christmas. But Flanagan is said to have abruptly canceled the sit-down after it was reported that de Blasio was still working behind the scenes to help the Democrats claim control of the Senate in the upcoming November elections. De Blasio had previously stated he would be taking a more low-key approach to the races after he gambled big on the Democrats in 2014 and lost, leaving the Senate GOP even more hostile to his agenda. "The mayor doesn't get it and he probably never will," a state government source said. "He has no allies in Albany , he is toxic in most parts of the state and on top of all that he shows that he can't be trusted. Why would anyone want to work with him? "* New York 's Less than a year after the New York State Legislature extended mayoral control over New York City schools for just a single year, Mayor Bill de Blasio is preparing to return to Albany to ask for a longer renewal. But this year, the dynamics in Albany indicate that it may be a less contentious process. ... De Blasio is starting this year off on a less acrimonious footing with Senate Republicans, as unlike last year, when de Blasio unsuccessfully intervened in Senate re-election races, the mayor recently vowed to stay out of this year's Senate election cycle. ... But de Blasio's own education record may be his greatest obstacle to securing a longer mayoral control extension. *-- WSJ headline: "New York City's Bill de Blasio Faces Another Slog in Albany": * On mayoral control, @BilldeBlasio isn't interested inbeing held accountable & expects a rubber stamp from Albany: * Assembly Dems Have Preliminary Talks On Outside Income (YNN) * Senate Revives Education Tax Credit Push (YNN) * Kaminsky Forms Campaign Committee For Skelos Seat (YNN)
"We have a list of rules reforms that Assembly Democrats voted down. Term limits for legislative leaders. Term limits for committee chairs.
The Upstate War Against de Blasio Attempted Take Over of the State Senate Has Begun
Senate Republicans pushed back against Democratic criticism of disgraced former Majority Leader Dean Skelos filing for his pension.
Upstate politician blasts de Blasio for trying to flip state Senate (NYP) An upstate Republican senator is running for re-election — against Mayor de Blasio. In a fund-raising solicitation to supporters, Hudson Valley state Sen. Terrence Murphy blasted de Blasio for attempting to meddle in legislative races so he could help flip the Senate from Republican to Democratic control. “There is disturbing news, courtesy of today’s New York Post. Mayor de Blasio and his goons are at it again,” Murphy writes in the signed e-mail solicitation sent out Monday. “We need to send a message to these establishment clowns that the
The Battle for Long Island Which Means Corruption and Future Federal Indictments and the Reaction by the Island's Voters Will Determine the Control of the Senate
Disgraced ex-senator Skelos files for $95K pension(NYP)
Disgraced ex-senator Skelos files for $95K pension(NYP)
Campaign Manager de Blasio is in the Center of the Battle for Control for the State Senate
Following In Silver and Skelos Footsteps de Blasio Gets His Money From Developers and Lobbyists
Rich NYC donors don’t want to write checks to de Blasio (NYP) After Mayor de Blasio’s first fund-raiser for his 2017 re-election campaign was deemed a dud, multiple Democratic sources tell Page Six that society donors are relishing dissing de Blasio in his bid for funds. “He is getting strong resistance from [society types] on the Upper East Side and Wall Street,” said one source. “They don’t want to write him checks. Only developers are taking his calls. He’s alienated so many others.” At Hizzoner’s fund-raiser at the Sheraton Times Square were “no more than 150 people, most of them lobbyists,” The Post previously reported, though organizers said it raised $1 million. De Blasio’s recent search for campaign dough has had trouble finding traction because “he snubbed the Democratic establishment before and now it’s being reciprocated,” said one party donor. “He’s been asking people to meet with him, to talk to him, and now they’re not returning his phone calls. It’s not just his failure to stand up for Hillary [Clinton] — he’s gone out of his way to snub and avoid the business leadership of this city, really bragging about it.” Many on the city’s philanthropy circuit also feel snubbed by de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane, who skipped the Met Gala and were cited as having “made themselves socially irrelevant” earlier this year in the Wall Street Journal.
Feds Investigation Cuomo Connection
Andrew Cuomo’s Administration Involved in Federal CorruptionProbe of Real Estate Industry(IBT) The New York State Housing Finance Agency, whose chair is appointed by the governor,rejected an IBTimes FOIL request because it is “cooperating” with a federal prosecutor’s probe of state lawmakers’ relationship with campaign donors in the real estate industry. * The Cuomo administration cited its cooperation with a federal probe in blocking the release of documents about transactions between the state and the governor’s top donor, the International Business Times Reports:
Sen. Dean Skelos and his son pleaded not guilty tocorruption charges (Newsday) Feds tapped Dean Skelos’ phone for months (NYP) The feds tapped state Sen. Dean Skelos’ cell phone for two-and-a-half months before busting him and his son in an alleged pay-to-play scheme, prosecutors revealed at the pair’s arraignment Monday — and the news is sure to make at least some Albany lawmakers squirm. “There were four months of wiretaps on the primary cellphone of Adam Skelos,” said Assistant US Attorney Rahul Muki, adding that investigators also tapped another of the boneheaded son’s phones for one month and that the tap on his dad’s phone ran for two-and-a-half months.
More Rats 4 Bharara . . . Gets Closer to Cuomo's Circle
Preet Bharara creeps closer to Cuomo with latest indictment (NYP, Dicker) Attorney Preet Bharara moved “a giant step closer” to Gov. Cuomo late last week with an indictment that alleges insurance exec Anthony Bonomo, a top Cuomo contributor whom the governor made chairman of the New York Racing Association, gave a lucrative no-show job to state Sen. Dean Skelos’ son, sources have told The Post. “Bonomo is Cuomo’s guy, and he wouldn’t offer anything to Skelos’ kid without first making sure it was OK with the governor or his people,’’ said a senior state Democrat. “The fact that Bonomo, like Dorego, is cooperating with Bharara brings the whole investigation a giant step closer to Cuomo,’’ the Democrat added, referring to Charles Dorego, a top official at Cuomo megacontributor Leonard Litwin’s Glenwood Management.
“This is a drip by drip that’s getting closer and closer to Cuomo, with Bonomo and Dorego providing prosecutors with an inside look at how the corrupt Albany system works,’’ explained a second senior state political figure. Four major political insiders now in feds' crosshairs (NYDN) Anthony Bonomo, a big time donor to Gov. Cuomo and other state politicians in both parties and who was recently named by the governor as chairman of the New York Racing Association, last week was referenced (not by name) in the indictment against now former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Suffolk County) for allegedly giving the senator’s son a $100,000 no-show job. And Steve Pigeon, a registered lobbyist and longtime Democratic operative from western New York who has done work for Cuomo, had his home raided by state and federal investigators as part of a probe into his fundraising activities. Meanwhile, Charles Dorego, a top executive at Glenwood Management, has been cooperating with the feds in separate cases against Skelos and now former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Influential lobbyist Brian Meara, who has close ties to Silver, has also been cooperating in the probe against the Manhattan Democrat. * Whether a coincidence or not, the timing of AG Eric Schneiderman’s trip to push ethics reform in Buffalo today is certain to raise eyebrows in the area’s political community, which is already on edge following the ratcheting up of the probe by the state and federal investigators of G. Steven Pigeon, Steven Casey and Christopher Grant. * U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr., husband of LG Kathy Hochul, has reportedly recusedhimself from an investigation into the political activities of G. Steven Pigeon, due to the potential political ramifications of the case. * Because of such little info on probes into western New York's Steve Pigeonand others, theories abound:
Moreland Investigation Ends, Media Cover-Up
Skelos' Son $100,000 From Medical Firm That Does State Business and Ties to New State Racing Boss
Top Real Estate Hooker Already A Rat for the Feds
No Charges Against the Real Estate Robber Barons While Dorego Rats
Will One Man In A Room Block End of Session Pay to Play Corruption?
Senate Republicans wary of deal-making under the watchfuleye of crusading U.S.Attorney Preet Bharara (NYDN) R-Nassau County ) and Assemblyman Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) - both of whom subsequently gave up their leadership posts - and with Bharara openly criticizing how Albany does business, many Senate Republicans are in no mood to take chances, two GOP senators said. One noted that much of the Republican conference received campaign contributions from influential real estate developers, including Leonard Litwin, who has been linked to the cases Bharara brought against Skelos and Silver.*New York City ’s commercial rent tax is a heavy burden on many of the city’s small business owners and according to critics is one factor that contributes to many businesses closing each year, the Post writes:
Mayor Top Media Aide Departs 2 Days After Embarrassing Unrealistic State of City Speech
A Top Aide Who Helped Mold de Blasio’s Public Image Is Leaving (NYT) The departure of Peter Ragone, the powerful steward of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s public image, is the most significant shake-up yet at a close-knit City Hall. * Mayor Bill de Blasio’s senior advisor Peter Ragone, who massaged his message on priorities such as pre-K and affordable housing, is leaving the administration in the most significant shake-up yet at the close-knit City Hall. Peter Ragone, the powerful steward of NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s public image, is leavingthe administration, the most significant shake-up yet at a close-knit City Hall. * "Ragone neverentirely fit the de Blasio down-home brand”(NYT)* Top Bill de BlasioAdviser Suddenly Departs City Hall (NYO) Mr. Ragone’s approach to politics and the press, religiously adhered to by Mr. de Blasio, could be polarizing. As the Times noted, he bragged about not reading tabloids and often ignored more quotidian controversies in favor of a hard focus on long-term projects that he believed Mr. de Blasio would always be remembered for.
He will be replaced by the mayor’s press secretary, Phil Walzak, who will become a senior adviser for strategic planning.* Bill de Blasio topadviser leaving administration, becoming first cabinet member to leave CityHall (NYDN) Peter Ragone, de Blasio’s senior adviser for strategic planning and a close friend of both the mayor and his wife, is leaving the post to return to California . * Peter Ragone, top de Blasio aide, leaving City Hall(Capital)
.@NYGovCuomo raises$408K over the weekend & $45mil total. Nearly all donations a min.of $10K.#PayToPlay #Corruption
de Blasio Defending the Ferry Program in His State of the City
De Blasio Defends NewStaten Island Ferry Plan (NYO) Mayor Bill de Blasio today upheld his proposal to create a new ferry route linking northern Staten Island to lower Manhattan—denying claims from officials from the borough that the route would be redundant with the nearly 200-year-old existing free ferry service.
de Blasio Did Not Talk About the NYPD in His State of the City
Mayor Bill de Blasio said he did not have to mention police-community relations in his State of the City address, while announcing the city would spend $7.3 million on new bullet-proof vests for cops, the Observer writes:
City Lawsuit Payouts Increase Under de Blasio
According to records compiled by the Comptroller’s Office, New York City paid out a record $732 million to settle lawsuits in the last fiscal year—and the payouts accelerated when Mayor de Blasio took office in January, the Post writes * And the lawyers get rich(NYP Ed) Under the de Blasio administration, the city has paid out a record $732 million in legal settlements and judgments, 40 percent higher than the previous year, potentially sending the message that you can get a windfall of taxpayer money if you sue the city
Was the 2013 Election Because of PAC Spending from the Shadow Govt Illegal?
Sal Albanese @SalAlbaneseNYC
Most of private $ raised by politicians running for city wide office in NYC is raised from people such as lobbyists etc * NYC campaign finance law while better than nothing falls far short of eliminating legal bribery
de Blasio Sends Secret Pennies to Senate Dems Thru Putnam Housekeeping Fund in A Failed Message to Cuomo to Take Credit for Dem Senate Win
de Blasio Who Was Outplayed With His WFP Endorsement of the Gov, Wanted to Respond to Cuomo Setting Up the WEP and Not Helping the Senate Democrats
de Blaso couple of hundred thousand dollars funneled through a Putnam County party account to senate candidates was insignificant when you look at how much money those candidates used in their failed attempt to regain control of the senate for the democrats. de Blasio sent Cuomo pennies was a message to the governors for lack of help for the senate democratic and the creation of the Women's Party. The funds paid to de Blasio consultant friends was nothing compared to the total funds they were paid. According to CrainsNY AKPD Media got got over $100,000 from the de Blasio funds. AKPD got paid over $10,000,000 from the New York State Democratic Committee. Berlin Rosen another de Blasio consultant friend go paid over $250,000 from the NYSDC. Both AKPD and Berlin Rosen got paid millions more in other pots of money that contributed to the senate democratic campaigns, including the candidates themselves.* "A deal was cutfor Mangano to endorse Cuomo in exchange for Cuomo staying out of the Senateraces on Long Island." (NYP) Under the law, an individual can only donate a maximum $10,300 to a Senate candidate or $102,300 to a party committee.* Landlords' quiet $500K aided Senate GOP (CrainsNY)* Tale Of Two States:Astorino Beat Cuomo 49-46 Outside Of New York City
Will the Mayor Ask the French What They Think About Targeting Muslim Terrorists?
Will the Mayor Ask the French What They Think About Targeting Muslim Terrorists?
All against all: NYC’s policing war(NYP, Paris leave a lesson for New York : Jihad no longer comes exclusively from abroad, as radicalized Muslims within our midst can be just as lethal, the Post writes:
Remember, the present turmoil is most likely being watched carefully by people who’d like nothing more than to exploit our weaknesses to carry out a successful terror attack. The current crisis of police morale and performance is almost an invitation to a terrorist strike at the world’s most important city. That’s one key reason for the governor to ensure that New York law enforcement presents a strong and united front. No leader need ever apologize for fighting crime and terrorism. The recent polls confirm this: City residents want an end to the name-calling and infighting, and vigorous action against all threats to safety. Thomas A. Reppetto is past president of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City
de Blasio Pays Off His Consultant Friends Again
Berlin Rosen and AKPD Media Win $$$ As Their Clients the Senate Dems Lose
Shadow Government Payoff
De Blasio pals cash-in even after Democrats lose the Senate According to Crain’s New York, hundreds of thousands of dollars raised by the mayor’s team for four upstate Democrats — all of whom lost — got the money and spent it onwent to two of de Blasio’s closest political consultants, BerlinRosen and AKPD Message and Media. The firms were critical to de Blasio’s City Hall win last year, and his subsequent campaign for universal pre-kindergarten. On Oct. 14, four donors gave the Democrats in Ulster County
But mega-donors, from unions to developers, can contribute up to $103,000 by routing the money through county political committees, which can then make unlimited transfers to candidates. The mayor and his team raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in mid-October, telling donors to cut checks to upstate campaign accounts. Four upstate Democrats—all of whom lost—received the money and spent it on BerlinRosen and AKPD. Anthony Scannapieco, chairman of the Putnam County Republican Party, has filed a complaint with the state Board of Elections over the transfers and called the scheme "money-laundering." But such transfers are routine in state politics, say those in the industry. Political parties or committees often raise large amounts of money that are passed to candidates, and are allowed to work together, said election lawyer Jerry Goldfeder. "It's perfectly legal," he said. One county chairman who got heavy payments from de Blasio donors—before transferring the funds to a Senate candidate—refused to say whether the mayor's camp told him where to steer the money. "I really don't have any comment right now on that," Ulster Democratic leader Frank Cardinale said last week. "I would have to think hard about that." On Oct. 14, four donors gave the Ulster Democrats more than $364,000, and the party quickly transferred $160,000 into the account of first-term Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk. Between Oct. 10 and Oct. 17, her campaign paid $155,000 for television ads produced by AKPD. Many of the payments went to pay for airtime. The firm's Mr. del Cecato was behind the famous ad featuring Dante de Blasio that fueled his father's meteoric rise to mayor. Similar transactions involving Mr. de Blasio's consultants popped up in three other Senate races. On Oct. 17, a major union supporter of Mr. de Blasio donated $100,000 to the Monroe County Democratic Committee, whose chairman then forwarded $60,000 to Sen. Ted O'Brien's campaign. (Monroe Democratic Chairman Dave Garretson told Crain's that Mr. de Blasio's team did not have "any part whatsoever" in his committee's decision.) A number of the donors from whom Mr. de Blasio's team solicited money have interests before the city. A bus-company magnate from Texas who gave $100,000 to the Putnam Democrats—and had never given in a New York election before—was the beneficiary of a $42 million city handout to private bus companies in August.* REBNY-backed candidates sweep midterm elections(CrainsNY)Outside spending: With Senate Republicans holding a significant cash advantage, the Senate Democrats will rely on unlimited outside spending from the United Federation of Teachers and the health care workers union, 1199 SEIU. On the Senate Republican side, records show, a new Washington D.C.-based group called Protect NYS PAC has raked in $200,000 from the Republican State Leadership Committee, a national group that has helped flip Legislatures Republicanacross the country. The RSLC has also been poised to pour money into another outside Republican group, Balance New York . But one of its chief strategists, Susan Del Percio, left for the Cuomo administration in March, and through May, Balance New York had only $6,000 on hand. A spokeswoman for the RSLC said it plans to fund both outside groups this year. “It’s early in the cycle,” the RSLC spokeswoman said. “New York is a key priority for the RSLC and we have full confidence in both groups.” An operative working for Balance New York , Claude LaVigna, said the group was still moving forward, and had gotten $50,000 from the RSLC last week.* Super PAC spending pumps $14M so far into battle forstate Senate(NYDN)
More on Lobbyists BerlinRosen Takes Over NYC Government
De Blasio Puts His People into City Government
De Blasio Puts His People into City Government
New records show that thanks to a surge in tax revenues and a boost in state funding, Mayor Bill de Blasio has added more than 3,000 people to the municipal workforce since taking office in January, the Daily News reports: * Thanks to a surge in tax revenues and a boost in state funding, de Blasio has added more than 3,000 people to the municipal workforce since taking office in January. There were 274,447 full-time municipal employees as of Sept. 30, up from 271,296 on Dec. 31 – a 1.16 percent increase.
de Blasio Sued for Skirting Campaign Donations Limits . . . Battles Quinn Again
Other Ways Around Campaign Donations Limits: Data and Field, NYCLASS, United for the Future All Helped de Blasio
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Funnel Campaign $$$ Loop Holes
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The head of the Putnam County Republican Committee is asking state Board of Election Enforcement Counsel Risa Sugarman to probe whether Democrats were improperly using a county committee to skirt campaign donation limits in several key Senate races. In his complaint filed Thursday, Anthony Scannapieco Jr. said the Putnam County Democratic Committee "appears to be engaging in a pattern of soliciting or receiving donations well in excess of the $10,300 limit for the express purpose of assisting Friends of Justin Wagner, a state Senate candidate and Friends of Terry Gipson, also a state Senate candidate."
First de Blasio Fought Quinn With NYCLASS Now He Fight Her WEP With Raising Funds for WFP Upstate Senate Candidates
Scannapieco referred to a Tuesday Daily News story that showed that the county Democratic committee, which had not received a donation for more than $1,000 in at least 15 years, suddenly took in nine donations in two days totaling $452,000. The committee promptly funnelled $433,000 of the money to the Wagner and Gipson campaigns. At least $50,000 of the money was donated by New York City supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis, who said he gave at the urging of Mayor de Blasio. The head of a transportation company with dozens of city contracts also gave $100,000 to the committee. "The actions of this committee in transferring such clearly excessive and fraudulent contributions less than a week before Election Day is in violation of both the spirit and letter of the Election Law, which is why your investigation and intervention in this matter is critical. Scannapieco says the Democratic committee "appears to have orchestrated with others a contribution" to the Wagner and Gipson campaigns.
Catsimatidis' $$$ Puts Him On Both Sides of the Senate Battle
EXCLUSIVE: The developer, who did not wish to be identified, deals with the city on permitting and other land-use issues, a person who spoke with him said. The fundraiser's $50,000 suggested contribution put the developer in a tough spot, as while he likes the mayor he doesn't feel state Senate Democrats are friendly to the real estate industry.*
Jimmy Vielkind @JimmyVielkind John Catsimatidis gets explicit abt campndonations: @BilldeBlasio asked; Cats wanted to do favor, so he wrote check
VJ Machiavelli @VJMachiavelli
@JimmyVielkind @BilldeBlasio asks @JCats2013 for a favor at dinner and being a fool with billionaire he gave shame on him investigation now. @AndreaWNYC shame on u. @JCats2013 for doing "favor" for @deBlasioNYC do u do lots of business with City and u want to keep on good side
Bill Hammond @NYDNHammond
Catsimatidis: "I do a lot of business in the city. .. He (de Blasio) asked me for a favor and I wrote the check." http://nydn.us/1pWlDfl
From Those Wonderful People Who Brought You Data and Field, NYCLASS And United for the Future
If You Keep Getting Aways With Breaking Campaign Finance Laws You Do It Again and Again
de Blasio Loophole $$$ New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio steered at least one massive donation to an upstate Democratic committee that promptly funneled the money to two state Senate candidates—taking advantage of a huge loophole in campaign finance rules, theDaily News reports: An interesting circumvention of campaign finance rules, in a couple of ways. Look who gave whose money to whom. EXCLUSIVE: Bill de Blasio helps Democratic committee receive donation to aide 2 state Senate candidates The mayor steered a $50,000 donation from supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis to the Putnam County Democratic Committee. A loophole in campaign finance rules allowed the committee to then shift $433,000 to the campaigns of Sen. Terry Gipson and Justin Wagner. While the move was legal, it raised eyebrows because the committee had not received a check for more than $1,000 in at least 15 years.* Mayor Bill de Blasio defended his administration for allowing top staffers to take leave to campaign for others amid the Ebola crisis, saying everyone is present and accounted for and doing the job they need to do,” the Observer reports:
de Blasio Hides A Bus Company Payoff In A Putnam Democrat Housekeeper Account to Fund A Senate Take Over
What's driving political donations(CrainsNY)Last month, a man named Alexis Lodde made a $100,000 donation to a Hudson Valley Democratic Party account. It was an exceptional gift from a Texan who until recently had never made a political contribution in New York . The donation came less than two months after employees at certain bus companies, including one owned by Mr. Lodde's firm, were given a $42 million grant pushed through by Mayor Bill de Blasio. Employees at Mr. Lodde's company are expected to be among the largest beneficiaries. The Daily News reported that Mr. de Blasio and associates raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the obscure campaign account—the Putnam County Democratic Committee, whose chairman quickly transferred $433,000 to help two Democratic state Senate candidates.
Mr. de Blasio has been working to facilitate a Democratic takeover of the Senate. State law prohibits gifts of more than $10,300 to a state Senate candidate, but donors can give $103,000 to county political committees, which can then make unlimited transfers to candidates. A de Blasio spokesman said the mayor had not personally requested Mr. Lodde's gift, but declined to say who had. Mr. Lodde owns Dallas-based MV Transportation, which in 2011 purchased USA United Fleet, which operated 500 bus routes for the city's public schools. MV subsidiary Reliant Bus Co. took over those deals and maintains lucrative contracts with the Department of Education. Some 900 Reliant workers are expected to get raises from the $42 million city grant. Critics warned that the $42 million set a bad precedent. Supporters portrayed it as a safety measure, saying higher pay yields better workers to transport schoolchildren. Although Mr. de Blasio's measure was primarily meant to appease union workers at Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181—whose pay had been cut when former Mayor Michael Bloomberg rebid school contracts in his final term—bus companies such as Mr. Lodde's are helped indirectly by the subsidy, said Carol Kellermann, president of the Citizens Budget Commission.
The $42 million allows them to pay competitive salaries after having won the contracts with low bids. "It makes it possible for the companies to have labor peace," said Ms. Kellermann. MV Transportation had been a target of vandalism during a 2013 school-bus strike over its labor contracts.* Cuomo’s campaign received a combined $408,100 over theweekend, State of Politicsreports: * Hedge fund managers backing charter schools and New York City real estate landlords will be up late tomorrow night focusing on the state Senate races, where they have spent at least $6 million in recent weeks trying to help the Republicans recapture control of the chamber, Crain’s reports: * At The End, Charter School Backers Focus OnTwo Senate Races(YNN) * Cuomo received $200,000 in donations on Friday fromcontributors affiliated with a brand management company that represents his girlfriend, Sandra Lee.* An avalanche of last-minute contributions went to Gov.Andrew Cuomo’s campaign over the weekend: $408,000! * “Ghost committees" in New York allow politicians to spend campaign funds long after they leave office, and the rule prohibiting personal expenses is so vague that anything goes, the Journal News writes: IDC Senate Republicans, fresh off their victory on Election Day, will be in Albany on Monday for a conference. (Sen. Simcha Felder will attend, but the IDC members apparently won’t be there).
Buying the Government Right Before Out Eyes
The city can negotiate new bus contracts next year. Republican billionaire John Catsimatidis, meanwhile, told the Daily News he gave $50,000 to the Putnam County
Cuomo Slush Fund Cuomo ally pro-charter Families for Excellent Schools Inc.spent $6 million thru June...curious why not on JCOPE list * Is It "Quid Pro Cuomo" Time? Charter Dollars Pour into Governor's Re-Election Campaign (Huff Post) * Putnam County GOP files complaint over Democrats' campaigns * Bill de Blasio is a superb mayor, according to sometaxpayer-funded YouTube videos (NYP)
Let Albany Vote On Closing the LLC Campaign Finance Loophole
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New York needs to make this practice illegal, just as the state of Maryland recently did.* "Only in NYcould an administration claim that taxpayers can’tafford..transparency."For whom the bridge tolls (NYP)* New York City real estate companies are exploiting a loophole in state election law that considers limited liability corporations as individuals, allowing them to contribute up to $150,000 through LLCs that they own for different sites, Crain’s Insider reports The real reason why the rent is too high (NYDN) This year, after receiving tons of money from well-placed donors, the governor and members of the state Legislature quietly gave away millions of your tax dollars to developers of luxury towers. The deal was so bad that it is being looked at by the Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption. The report found that four of the five developers used high contribution limits and loopholes to give more than $1.5 million to state elected officials, political parties and real estate PACs between 2008 and 2012, including at least $440,962 in 2012 alone. And Cuomo, who had to sign the legislation, was the biggest single recipient, pulling in $150,000 from the four developers in 2012.
Let Albany Vote On Closing the LLC Campaign Finance Loophole
Editorial: Close the LLC loophole now(TU) New York law allows wealthy donors to easily sidestep contributions limits. The Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks the impact of money in U.S. politics and governance, estimates $3.7 billion was spent on the 2014 elections. In New York , Gov. Andrew Cuomo raised nearly $45 million to finance his steamroller re-election victory. Time and again, he and the leaders of both houses of the state Legislature have fallen short of agreeing on any meaningful overhaul of campaign finance laws, specifically measures to require greater transparency, to implement a workable system of publicly-funded races and to lower the limits on individual contributions.
The so-called reforms the governor brokered with legislative leaders in exchange for his dismantling of the Moreland Commission on Public Corruption were inadequate. Changes are needed more than ever to rein in out-of-control campaign spending. How to break this impasse? Here's a new idea: Take a break from the sweeping, comprehensive reform packages (which we support) that fail over one point or another. Instead, tackle these issues one at a time, and let's see where legislators and the governor really stand. A good place to start is one of the most blatant abuses of campaign finance laws, one which lets donors skirt contribution limits by simply creating an LLC, or limited liability company. LLCs are considered individuals for the purposes of campaign finance laws. One person can easily set up an unlimited number of these entities, and then each can make the maximum legal political contribution allowed for an individual. This is perfectly legal. How much more gaping can a loophole be? The biggest beneficiary of it in New York is Mr. Cuomo himself. In one stunning example, 19 different LLCs controlled by Long Island developer Leonard Litwin's real estate company, Glenwood Management, gave $800,000 to Mr. Cuomo. Glenwood also used LLCs to funnel millions to other New York candidates and committees, both Democratic and Republican. Before he disbanded it, Mr. Cuomo's Moreland Commission called for closing the LLC loophole.
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