Q&A
Executive branch actions and independent government bodies
1:23:16
·
152 sec
Council Member Adams questions Mastro about Mayor Adams' accusations against the Campaign Finance Board and the impact of the executive branch undermining independent government bodies.
- Adams raises concerns about the mayor's false accusations against the Campaign Finance Board
- Mastro states he is not familiar with the specific issue but commits to studying it if appointed
- He emphasizes his history of standing up to government overreach and respecting the rule of law
Adrienne E. Adams
1:23:16
Okay.
1:23:17
Mayor Adams has also made false accusations against the city's campaign finance board.
1:23:23
That apparently seeks to undermine the independent board's credibility by accusing it of leaking information that it released in response to a freedom of information request.
1:23:33
Do you find this to be appropriate or inappropriate?
Randy Mastro
1:23:39
I I I'm not personally familiar with the the issue you're you're describing.
1:23:44
So I I would have to understand more about it, but, you know, the way you have phrased it, you know, leads to certain conclusions, but I I've not studied the issue, and I'm not in a position.
1:23:56
Again, I I'm a responsible, ethical lawyer.
1:24:00
I'm gonna give you my best advice after I have studied an issue, and I'm gonna give it to you straight.
1:24:05
And if I agree with you, I'm gonna tell you that.
1:24:07
And if I disagree with you, I'm gonna tell you that.
1:24:08
But I I it's it's not something where if I haven't studied the issue, I should be opining off the cuff.
Adrienne E. Adams
1:24:15
Okay.
1:24:16
What impact do you believe it has when the executive branch undermines independent government bodies or disregards principles of democratic governance?
Randy Mastro
1:24:26
Obviously, that's that's abhorrent to so many of us, and you can see in my own history that entire record of mine, how often I have taken on government.
1:24:39
I have stood up 2 mayors, 2 governors, even presidents, when they have not respected the rule of law and they have overreached and I have won.
1:24:49
So you don't have to guess how I feel about those issues.
1:24:53
You know from my entire record.
Adrienne E. Adams
1:24:58
Okay.
1:25:00
Thank you.
1:25:00
Thank you.
1:25:01
I am going to I THINK I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES.
1:25:08
I WAS GOING TO TAKE YOU BACK TO MY VERY FIRST QUESTION THAT I STILL DON'T THINK WAS ANSWER, BUT I THINK I'LL Just LEAVE THAT.
Randy Mastro
1:25:14
I WILL MATTER SPEAKER, WHEN I REVIEW THIS RECORD, I will try and answer it more precisely.
1:25:20
I I have enormous respect for you, and I wanna make sure that all of your questions are answered.
1:25:26
And as I said when we met, I will earn your trust, and I will be the best corporation counsel I can possibly be working and having the honor of representing you.
1:25:37
Thank you.
Adrienne E. Adams
1:25:37
Thank you for your testimony.
Keith Powers
1:25:39
Thank you, your honor.
1:25:41
I will now go to we'll now go to the deputy speaker Ayala followed by majority WebBrooks hours.
