A major donor to New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio testified that De Blasio signed off on illegal contributions.
Harendra Singh testified in a trial for bribery of a Long Island politician that De Blasio took a “look the other way” approach when asked about illegal contributions. One time De Blasio was notified that Singh would have to arrange for illegal contributions. According to Singh, De Blasio told him “Do what you’ve got to do.”
According to the New York Daily News, prosecutors have decided not to charge De Blasio with any wrongdoing. However, they made a point to say that De Blasio did favors for donors.
On the witness stand, Singh detailed his relationship with De Blasio. When Singh met first met De Blasio, then the city’s Public Advocate, he gave him his cell phone number and email. “Anytime you need anything, you know, just call me,” De Blasio allegedly told Singh.
Singh testified that he twice warned De Blasio that he reimbursed donors for meeting De Blasio’s demands for hefty contributions. Such a straw donor scheme is illegal. Both times, De Blasio said he didn’t want to know more and for Singh to do what he had to do.
Singh also admitted under questioning that he gave the political contributions as bribes to benefit his restaurant, Water’s Edge. “In exchange of help, you know, at Water’s Edge, getting the lease extended and getting the pier issue resolved,” testified Singh.
Singh is not the only De Blasio donor that has testified about De Blasio’s fundraising tactics. According to the New York Daily News, Brooklyn developer Jona Rechnitz admitted in a different case about how he wrote big checks for De Blasio to secure himself favorable treatment and exceptional access to De Blasio.
De Blasio is a hero to progressives and remains a possible Democratic presidential candidate in 2020. He has already visited Iowa and has been trying to pitch himself to Bernie Sanders supporters.
AAN Staff
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