Q&A
Discussion of Mastro's past interactions with the City Council
4:45:15
·
3 min
Jumaane Williams questions Randy Mastro about his behavior during a 2014 City Council hearing, where Mastro represented a private client. The exchange highlights concerns about Mastro's approach to Council interactions.
- Williams accuses Mastro of being 'rough' and 'belligerent' during the 2014 hearing
- Mastro defends his actions, stating he was representing a client in a private labor dispute
- The discussion raises questions about how Mastro's approach might differ in the role of Corporation Counsel
Jumaane Williams
4:45:15
My second question, actually.
4:45:16
So when I was a council member in December of 2014, when you testified on behalf of your client cap revision of the hearing of the zoning and franchising sub committee, Rather than answering questions directly, you accuse the council of doing the bidding of the communications work of America and the work in the family's party.
4:45:31
In particular, you accuse me and others of asking questions directly from W.
4:45:35
P.
4:45:35
Memo that I have never seen.
4:45:37
You're actually pretty demure today.
4:45:39
Back then, it was pretty rough, pretty belligerent, and I think a disdain for the council that you're now asking to approve you.
4:45:46
So did you think that was an appropriate way to respond to sincere questions from the legislative body of New York City?
Randy Mastro
4:45:52
Well, I I I recall that hearing a little differently.
4:45:56
I think you gave as good as you got.
4:45:58
Counseling, like, yeah, yeah, a public advocate.
4:46:00
I didn't And I was there representing a client.
4:46:05
Cable vision involved in a private labor dispute with the CWA over organizing certain of its workers in certain counties, and the council was holding a hearing on that issue and that private labor dispute.
4:46:17
So I was making the point on behalf of my client that was that an appropriate subject for a council hearing.
4:46:25
I have nothing but respect for the council.
4:46:27
I have nothing but respect for you.
4:46:29
And when we left the chamber that night, I shook your hand.
4:46:33
And the fact of the matter is responding to what you said earlier.
4:46:38
My pro bono work, my community service, 20 years at legal aid, raising 1,000,000 of dollars for that organization, chair of Citizens Union for the past 10 years, the gold standard of of good government.
Jumaane Williams
4:46:51
I've I've heard the list.
Randy Mastro
4:46:52
These these are these are and my pro bono work.
4:46:56
These are my life's work over 40 years.
4:46:58
And you know, I just want to say this.
4:47:02
I know you have said some harsh things about me.
4:47:06
My do is always going to be open to you.
4:47:08
I want to represent each of you I appreciate that.
Jumaane Williams
4:47:11
It doesn't going through to me.
4:47:12
You know what I mean?
4:47:13
Once again, I don't know you enough.
4:47:15
I just do know when it comes to talk to charity or or forced generosity, people use that to try to hide the other things that they're actually doing.
4:47:23
So that's that's the only point I I I put out.
4:47:25
I don't know enough to say whether it falls in that category or not.
4:47:28
I was just putting out as as a possibility.
4:47:30
But I did for my question, which is, was that an appropriate way to respond?
4:47:33
I am assuming that you're saying yes.
4:47:35
That was an appropriate way to respond to the council's questions.
Randy Mastro
4:47:38
I at at that hearing, I was representing a client, and the client had a very clear view.
4:47:43
But I So
Jumaane Williams
4:47:43
so wait wait.
4:47:44
Sorry.
4:47:44
Yes.
4:47:45
It was an appropriate way to respond to the council.
Randy Mastro
4:47:47
It was a contentious hearing I acknowledged.
Jumaane Williams
4:47:50
So, yes, it was.
4:47:51
That's what I'm gonna put in
Randy Mastro
4:47:52
the letter.
4:47:52
I I I understand.
Jumaane Williams
4:47:53
Ben, is there a difference between your approach as a private attorney versus being a public servant?
Randy Mastro
4:48:00
Yes.
4:48:01
As I've said before, I have more than one speed.
4:48:04
Sometimes you are in, you know, contentious circumstances and contentious litigation.
4:48:10
Other times you are in a different context.
4:48:12
As I've said before, I'm a bear in the courtroom and I'm a teddy bear in real life.
4:48:16
It's it's not the case that representing the city is the same as representing private clients sometimes in their in their most stressful matters.
4:48:26
And you have to have more than 1 speed.
4:48:28
You have it, public advocate.
4:48:30
I have it too.
4:48:31
And I just wanna say, there aren't that many lawyers in private practice who have the kind of demands on their time from private practice who, year after year, make hundreds of hours for community service in pro bono, I always do.
4:48:49
It's not there's nothing
Jumaane Williams
4:48:50
to think about it.
Randy Mastro
4:48:51
It's good.
Jumaane Williams
4:48:52
I think you're an attorney or not, what is question here.