As long as candidates have to raise money and are funded by private donations, prominent elected officials will need to help raise money for people they support. There is nothing illegal in the Mayor or anyone else soliciting campaign donations. It is also not illegal to answer constituents calls. Donors should not assume that just because they donate they will be given special treatment, and if they feel that if anyone who they give campaign money to is corrupt if they do pay attention to them, then maybe they should either no give money or have no contact with those they gave to....
1
In the context of this article, the relevant description of the fourth person in the photograph is not as the founder of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers but as the controlling partner in the La Marina complex in Upper Manhattan, which has a long-term lease on city parkland and generates millions a year in revenue.
That is largely because the facility, approved as a restaurant prior to being bought out by Mateo, has since 2012 operated as a nightclub and concert venue in clear violation of the lease and city regulations. La Marina also operates a valet parking lot illegally on both parkland and entire blocks of city streets. The crowds, four times what was originally approved for the restaurant, spill out noisily at 1 am to patronize the restaurant-nightclubs along the Dyckman strip, several of which are also owned by this same businessman investor, and which also operate in violation of zoning restrictions against nightclubs in a residential area.
The Times wrote about the situation in 2013, shortly before de Blasio became mayor. Nothing has happened since other than the cancellation of a Parks Dept financial audit. The NYPD look the other way while the Parks Dept says everything is just fine.
Which brings to mind this testimony from Rechnitz, speaking about himself, Reichberg and Mateo: "We're going to become significant contributors, but we want access. And when we call, we want answers. When we reach out for things, we want them to get done."
3
This pay to play scene is just a small glimpse into " why" our Democracy is now an Oligarchy.... from the mayors office in whatever town or city, USA right into the halls of Congress. It doesn't matter what Party. What a shaft job the working and middles classes have been getting for decades now vs the corporations, the wealthy and their ability to purchase access and favorable legislation.
1
The change in our beloved city under De Blasio is terrible to see but the NYT editorial board manages to turn a blind eye with its endorsement. Another 4 years will hasten the decline under this mayor who is a slave to his ideological agenda, refuses to support or act on education initiatives that are not endorsed by his cronies in the teachers' unions, and who can't or won't address the significant deterioration in our quality of life. Homelessness and panhandling is out of control, and subway and bus travel is a mess and unpleasant. DeBlasio's head is in the clouds (or somewhere else) as he is ferried around the city in his chauffeured car and is oblivious to the problems he seems incapable of tackling.
2
I plan on voting for Sal Albanese, who is a liberal, as a way of showing my disdain for Mayor de Blasio. Hopefully others will (as has already been mentioned in the comments) vote on Tuesday and vote for another candidate or skip the mayoral line on the ballot.
1
It will be interesting to see if the once olympian New York Times continues to write about the clay feet of the Mayor after the election. Maybe hire Mr. Rechnitz to write a column on New York politics.
1
Wow. Right before the election. Did Rupert Murdoch buy The New York Times when we weren't looking?
And before everyone gets their panties in a wad over pay-to-play with this mayor, you'd better take a look at all the payola things done by mayors past. And that includes Giuliani, who did some of the most despicable things I've ever seen a mayor do (struck down by the courts, thank goodness) and Bloomberg - who had no problem whatsoever siding with the landlords and Wall Street, which happily $upported him and created the Morass for the Monied that is obscenely-unaffordable-to-most-of-us Manhattan today.
1
The level of de Blasio's arrogance knows no limit and will eventually be his undoing.
9
Let's summarize:
Mayor's office and influence for sale.
Police Union and police favors for sale.
Really creepy real estate guy in NYC buys influence and special consideration.
Prosecutors decline to prosecute the mayor.
NY Times, please explain why this is news.
6
Interesting take away from Cain's Business not endorsing either candidate. They nailed the reasons why. The man is an arrogant do as I say not as I do pol. He'll win though in a landslide then those that voted for him will continue to complain.
1
I guess it's better that deBlasio fleece the rich guys rather than the taxpayers, huh?
3
As if the taxpayer doesn't ultimately pay the price of DeBlasio's corruption!
1
How is this surprising? They are but a few names on a long list of crooked politicians. Being a so-called progressive does not make de blasio immune from temptation, or unworthy of reproach.
7
Calls to mind the bad old days of boss tweed and Tammany hall. Corruption and greed have no party allegiance.
7
Standard Dem/Hillary-style pay-to-play politics. Look at Chicago or any other Democrat-run city, you'll see a lot more.
9
I suppose Mr Bo Dietl would say no to anyone offering him hundreds of thousands of dollars. I would bet my next paycheck that if he were mayor, he would be doing exactly the same thing, as anyone involved in politics would. The fact that the mayor's office blatantly admits that it wanted money to control the state senate makes this crystal clear. Perhaps Mr. Dietil is an honest man, and this would explain why he is not holding any major political office. Mr. Dietl, keep your soul intact, find a legitimate job that actually serves the public, and stay clear of politics.
2
I guess all politicians are the same, working for money for re-election. May be president Trump is an exception that he has more than enough money already. Or some one likes past president Kennedy who brought fresh ideas and hope to this country.
2
Nice to see the Times put their thumb on the scale days before an election with another innuendo-filled story about politics as usual. Way to close with a quote from Bo Dietl. Really gives voters the information they need. Ugh, will you never learn?
New York Times editorial writers, do you ever read your own paper? How, after writing about these mis-deeds do you go and endorse this man for re-election?
38
guy didn't get fines reduced. having trouble finding the misdeed. as long as we allow any money in politics, candidates are going to meet with donors. all candidates will. and do. and their offices also hear from all of the people who are investing in the city, building in the city. whether they donate or not. eliminate $ from politics.
1
He could be indicted and the Times would give them their blessing so long as their party affiliation has a "D" after it.
7
Mike - He's a Democrat!
3
On election day, do not vote for de Blasio. Either do not vote or vote for another candidate. This photo and the emails prove de Blasio is a liar and a crook. He has damaged NYC in way that have yet to be exposed.
28
Selective memory by deBlasio.
15
And here I thought Bloomie was bad selling out NY'ers to developers. de Blasio is far worse. Selective memory indeed. Selling nursing homes and the like to his donors. Shocking.
5