| | | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin, Anna Gronewold and Deanna Garcia | Mayor Bill de Blasio is in ethical trouble yet again, after a city investigation found he abused his NYPD security detail for campaign jaunts and as a taxpayer-funded chauffeur service for his kids. Just as de Blasio eyes a potential run for governor, the Department of Investigation said he violated ethics rules during his short-lived presidential campaign in 2019. As the mayor roamed Iowa and South Carolina, he took his NYPD detail with him — and stuck taxpayers with a $319,794 tab for their travel expenses. And 20 cents, to be exact. He has refused to reimburse the money. Another no-no: His detective detail shuttled his campaign staffers during the trips. And then there are the mayor's kids, Chiara and Dante. Chiara was moving out of an apartment in Sunset Park and back in with her parents and needed to move a futon and other belongings — a relatable situation for many New Yorkers, so far. So the NYPD sent a van to carry her stuff and a detective helped haul the futon, not a perk that is supposed to come with the mayor's job. Dante, the star of de Blasio's 2013 campaign ads, got an even better deal: He was driven back and forth to Yale repeatedly, and, for a few pre-pandemic months, got a ride to work in Brooklyn every day from Gracie Mansion. De Blasio, who blasted the report as full of inaccuracies, takes the position is that this was all kosher, since himself and his kids are entitled to security protection as determined by the NYPD. Except his adult children declined security details, and cops were only tapped for selective duties. "It's not security. It's essentially a concierge service," DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said. De Blasio already has quite a few liabilities if he ends up jumping into the governor's race, but, well, now he'll have one more. While he's not facing criminal culpability, he could face fines from the Conflicts of Interest Board. And criminal charges could still emerge from the probe: DOI found the head of the detail, Howard Redmond, "actively obstructed and sought to thwart this investigation," and referred him to the Manhattan DA for potential prosecution. IT'S FRIDAY. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: EDurkin@politico.com and agronewold@politico.com, or on Twitter: @erinmdurkin and @annagronewold WHERE'S KATHY? In Albany with no public events scheduled. WHERE'S BILL? Appearing on WNYC's Brian Lehrer show. PROGRAMMING NOTE: New York Playbook will not publish on Monday, Oct. 11. We'll be back on our normal schedule come Tuesday, Oct. 12. Please continue to follow POLITICO New York. | | | | THE MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE 2021 IS HERE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from one of the largest and most influential gatherings of experts reinventing finance, health, technology, philanthropy, industry and media. Don't miss a thing from the 24th annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, from Oct. 17 to 20. Can't make it? We've got you covered. Planning to attend? Enhance your #MIGlobal experience and subscribe today. | | | | |
|  | WHAT CITY HALL'S READING | | "Eric Adams Declines Latest Round Of Public Matching Funds, As Sliwa Secures Nearly $700,000," by Gothamist's David Cruz: "Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president and Democratic nominee for mayor, took the unusual step in declining the latest round of public matching funds from the city Campaign Finance Board. His Republican opponent, Curtis Sliwa, meantime secured nearly $700,000 in public matching funds as the race enters its final stretch. Adams' decision comes as he continues to outperform Sliwa by millions of dollars...While Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, has roughly $4 million since entering the race, Adams has amassed a $19 million war chest and appears to continue building up his coffers. — Jumaane Williams got nearly $1 million in matching funds. "Eric Adams defends de Blasio after probe finds misuse of NYPD resources: 'Whatever is needed to protect his family,'" by New York Daily News' Tim Balk and Chris Sommerfeldt: "Eric Adams gave Mayor de Blasio the benefit of the doubt Thursday after the city Department of Investigation found that Hizzoner and his family misused NYPD resources for a variety of personal and political reasons. Adams, who as the Democratic nominee in next month's mayoral election is all but certain to become de Blasio's successor, told reporters at a campaign event in Brooklyn that he hadn't digested the entire 49-page report from the Department of Investigation. '[But] I'm very sensitive when it comes down to families,' said Adams, Brooklyn's borough president. 'If his children, if his wife — there were credible threats, then we must do everything that's needed to ensure they are safe.'" "Staff, Advocates Push for Better Conditions at Youth Jails as Rikers Steals Attention," by The City's Eileen Grench: "Juvenile lock-ups in the city are facing a staffing 'crisis within [a] crisis' as overworked guards manage an aging and increasingly listless population of detainees. Youth advocates and union officials are asking for more staff and structure in the detention facilities as the city's child welfare agency struggles to maintain a workforce dealing with injuries and exhaustion. According to the Administration for Children's Services, only 401 of the required 850 so-called Youth Development Specialists were working as of Monday. This as nearly 250 positions have been left unfilled, and more than 200 specialists are out on worker's compensation or other reasons." "Head Of NYC Test And Trace Discusses 1 Million Close Contacts, COVID In Schools," by WNYC: "After COVID-19 first swept through New York City, officials launched the Test & Trace Corps—arguably the largest contact tracing effort of its kind in the country. The corps tracks down so-called "close contacts" of known COVID cases—to keep individual outbreaks from spiraling out of control. The program recently recorded its one-millionth close contact—a major milestone that conveys the extent of its outreach. But winter is coming, which means more time spent indoors and at home. The reopening of businesses and schools means several more sources of infections to track, and the delta variant continues to linger stubbornly over the city." | | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | "Thousands of home health workers may lose jobs as NY's vaccine mandate looms. What to know," by USA Today Network's David Robinson: "Thousands of home health workers could lose their jobs under New York's latest COVID-19 vaccine mandate requiring they get shots by Friday, home care industry leaders said. The mandate covers about 270,000 workers in home health care services, and at least 11,900 of those employees said they would rather quit or be fired than comply with the vaccination requirement, according to a survey conducted last month by the Home Care Association of New York State. In recent weeks, however, some home health providers have reported increases in worker vaccinations, as the deadline to get the first dose loomed, said Al Cardillo, president and CEO of the association. 'But at the same time they're reporting the (vaccination) gaps are still very significant,' he said, adding home health providers are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration to delay enforcement of the mandate to allow time to convince more workers to get shots and fill staffing gaps, if necessary." " Longtime Cuomo aide Larry Schwartz to resign from MTA board," by Daily News' Clayton Guse: "A longtime ally of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo will resign from the MTA board, state officials said Thursday. Larry Schwartz — who served as Cuomo's top aide after he took office in 2011 — notified Gov. Hochul he plans to leave the board 'effective when the Senate confirms his replacement,' said Hochul spokeswoman Hazel Crampton-Hays. ... Hochul vowed when she took office to remove any staffers implicated in the AG report — but the deal made over Schwartz's resignation from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board likely allows him to serve into 2022, when the Senate reconvenes." — Internal shuffle: Hochul's senior communications adviser Haley Viccaro is moving over to the Department of Environmental Conservation as strategic communications director for Climate. "State's Bills study explores more options: site near downtown, renovated Highmark Stadium, " by Buffalo News's Stephen T. Watson: "The Buffalo Bills have made it clear they want to build a new stadium across the street from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. But government negotiators are keeping their options open. A consulting firm hired by the state also studied the cost and practicality of renovating the existing stadium and building a new stadium along South Park Avenue near downtown Buffalo. That's according to stadium consultant contracts released by Empire State Development late Wednesday in response to public records requests by The Buffalo News and other news outlets. The analysis conducted by AECOM at a cost of more than $150,000 already should be in the hands of state officials, based on a timeline included in the contract that said the firm would complete the initial analysis within 10 weeks. Gov. Kathy Hochul has said her office will release the document to the public as soon as next month." "Gov. Hochul bill to combat opioid crisis decriminalizes public use, sale of needles and syringes," by New York Post's Elizabeth Rosner and Bernadette Hogan : "Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a package of bills into law Thursday aimed at combating the opioid crisis — including one bill that decriminalizes the public possession and sale of hypodermic needles and syringes. The new law — effective immediately — eliminates a section of the state's penal code that says possessing a needle or syringe in public is a class-A misdemeanor." #UpstateAmerica: Your annual reminder that there are plenty of real haunted houses in an Upstate Near You! ' 5 spooky places to visit in Western New York' | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | |
| | TRUMP'S NEW YORK | | "Trump Claims Bronx Golf Course Business Boomed After Jan. 6 Insurrection," by The City's Claudia Irizarry Aponte and Katie Honan: "Business at The Bronx golf course run by former President Donald Trump's company has 'thrived' since the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to his lawyers, who say the links have reaped a record $8 million so far this year. The claim came in court papers filed on Wednesday as The Trump Organization fights Mayor Bill de Blasio's bid to oust the firm as the operator of the Trump Links at Ferry Point. De Blasio moved in the days after the revolt at the U.S. Capitol to void all of Trump's contracts with the city, charging the then-president incited the unprecedented attack on U.S. democracy." | | Scranton on the Hudson | | "N.Y.-Based Appeals Court Gives Biden Two More Seats to Fill," by Bloomberg Law's Madison Alder: "President Joe Biden has two more opportunities to fill seats on the the New York-based federal appeals court, opening the door for him to bolster the liberal wing of a court already tipping toward a Democratic-appointed majority. Judges José Cabranes and Rosemary Pooler, both appointees of President Bill Clinton, will take a form of semi-retirement known as "senior status" effective upon the confirmation of their successors, the court confirmed. The news was first reported by legal journalist David Lat. Biden has moved quickly to fill three existing Second Circuit vacancies. Those vacancies included a chance to replace a George W. Bush appointee and 'flip' the court back to a majority of Democratic appointees. President Donald Trump had given it a majority of Republican appointees. While party of a judge's appointing president isn't an exact proxy for judicial philosophy, it is often used as a way of measuring the leanings of a particular court." | | AROUND NEW YORK | | — Former sergeants union president Ed Mullins, who resigned his union position this week after an FBI raid, filed for retirement from the NYPD. — The City Council passed legislation that requires City Hall to make a comprehensive plan to protect every city neighborhood from the threats of climate change. — The Department of Correction hired a former NYPD chief to help head its efforts to calm the chaos at Rikers Island. — The Saratoga Springs police chief apologized for his officers blocking public access to City Court last month as activists continue to clash with the city's police. — The state Department of Transportation whistleblower who helped initiate a probe into Prestige Limousine has been nominated for the state's limo safety task force. — A Queens man wanted for assault refused to come down from a tree for more than 24 hours. — The Manhattan U.S. Attorney charged a former Taliban commander with four counts of murder for an attack that killed U.S. soldiers and an Afghan interpreter. — A 13-year-old boy was shot in the knee while on a Bronx basketball court Thursday evening. | | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Rev. Jesse Jackson is 8-0 … Steve Coll … Lillie Belle Viebranz … Dan Gallo of MSNBC … Edelman's Hilary Teeter and Chase Noyes Atkinson … Molly Erman MAKING MOVES — De Blasio's recently departed press secretary Bill Neidhardt along with fellow Bernie Sanders alums Anna Bahr and Karthik Ganapathy are launching a new firm, Left Flank Strategies, per The Hill's Hanna Trudo. … Alyssa Marois is now SVP of public affairs at HSBC. She most recently was VP of federal government relations at JP Morgan Chase. MEDIAWATCH — Stephen Labaton is joining NBCUniversal News Group as EVP of comms. He previously was EVP of corporate affairs at Booz Allen Hamilton. … Ben Smith (@benyt): "Journalism school news: Dean Steve Coll just emailed staff that he's going to end his tenure at Columbia next summer, giving President Lee Bollinger time to search for a successor." — "'I Sleep Well at Night': Suzanne Scott on Running Fox News: Twenty-five years after its founding, a sit-down with the CEO of America's most watched and most polarizing network, whose employees laud her for cleaning up a toxic workplace even as critics assail the channel for spreading misinformation and undermining democracy," by the Hollywood Reporter's Marisa Guthrie — "Marshall Project Founder Neil Barsky Is Stepping Down: A former hedge fund manager, Mr. Barsky led the nonprofit news organization to two Pulitzer Prizes in seven years," by NYT's Michael Grynbaum SPOTTED: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in Manhattan to fundraise with former New York Gov. George Pataki, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Adam Weiss and Jeff Miller. HOT JOBS — The New York Times opinion section has posted a number of new job postings, including editorial assistant to the editorial board, copy editor, editorial assistant for Michelle Goldberg and Ezra Klein, director of audience and climate editor. MILESTONE — "For the First Time in 232 Years, a Black Prosecutor Leads a Storied Office: Damian Williams, an unassuming figure with stellar credentials, is now the most powerful federal law enforcement official in Manhattan," by NYT's Benjamin Weiser SUCCESSION READING — "How the 'Succession' Star Nicholas Braun Elevates Cousin Greg: On the cutthroat HBO comedy-drama, which returns Oct. 17, Braun and his hopelessly unprepared alter ego are thriving," by NYT's Dave Itzkoff | | REAL ESTATE | | "Why One Queens Block Has Flooded For Decades," by Gothamist's Elizabeth Kim: "In Hollis, Queens, tales of flooding are like war stories—and almost everyone has one. Sitting on her porch, Anita Hack, now a grandmother, recalled with startling precision the first time the waters came for her house: August 16th, 1992. Her son had just turned 3 months old and a storm drenched her family's basement and first floor. Although they had lived there only a few months, it was bad enough to make her father promptly put up a "For Sale" sign. But no one was buying. They were stuck."
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