Q&A
Mastro's defense of his actions regarding AIDS services and Housing Works contracts
1:46:49
·
171 sec
Randy Mastro strongly defended his actions regarding AIDS services and Housing Works contracts during his time in the Giuliani administration. He disputed Ayala's characterization of events and emphasized his advocacy for AIDS funding and services.
- Mastro claimed he and others advocated to preserve the Office of AIDS Services and funding for AIDS programs
- He explained that the decision to terminate Housing Works contracts was based on the organization's alleged inability to account for over half a million dollars
- Mastro stated that the decision was made on the recommendation of Commissioner Lillian Barrios-Paoli and was not retaliatory
- He expressed personal connection to the AIDS crisis, mentioning friends and former partners who died from AIDS
- Mastro objected to the subsequent settlement of the Housing Works lawsuit by a later administration
Randy Mastro
1:46:49
Okay.
1:46:51
I did not do what you just described.
1:46:55
I, along with others in the administration, including another deputy mayor, Fran Ryder, who you'll hear from later today, we actually advocated and stood up to preserve the office of aid services to preserve funding for aid programs.
1:47:13
And now let's talk about housing works.
1:47:16
The commissioner at the time, Lilian Barrios Payoli, came to us and told us, in 1997, how it works
Diana Ayala
1:47:27
Mister Meschelle, that's not what the record.
1:47:28
That is not what the record says.
1:47:30
You were directly quoted.
Randy Mastro
1:47:31
Please counsel member
Gale A. Brewer
1:47:33
Please let the
Randy Mastro
1:47:34
answer the question.
1:47:35
I'm just asking you to let me answer the question.
Diana Ayala
1:47:38
But you're not asking the question.
Randy Mastro
1:47:39
I am.
1:47:40
Police Council member.
1:47:41
Lilian Baris Capayoli came to us, me, Fran, explained that housing works couldn't account for over half a $1,000,000 of the multimillion dollar housing contract it had to provide housing for people with AIDS and then refused to cooperate with the audit of where that money had gone.
1:48:03
We gave them multiple opportunities to do that.
1:48:06
But at the end of the day, Lilian said they refused, and we were left with no choice as people who are obligated on or bound to protect the public fisk You think in 1997, a reelection here, I wanted to have a fight with housing works.
1:48:22
So Lillian made the decision and the recommendation that the contracts should be terminated.
1:48:29
I accepted the recommendation.
1:48:31
I have great respect for Lillian Barrios Paoli as his friend.
1:48:34
And we made that painfully.
1:48:36
It was heartbreaking.
1:48:37
I have friends.
1:48:39
I have former partners who died from AIDS.
1:48:43
I advocated for the rights of AIDS funding and AIDS patients in the Giuliani administration.
Alexa Avilés
1:48:49
So you're
Diana Ayala
1:48:49
saying that it wouldn't hurt how to handle them.
Randy Mastro
1:48:51
Ma'am, please, that housing works legally.
Diana Ayala
1:48:54
Miss, I rather miss.
1:48:55
Sorry.
1:48:56
Ma'am, sorry, miss.
1:48:59
The Maybe council member.
1:49:01
Yeah.
Randy Mastro
1:49:01
The council member.
1:49:02
Council member.
1:49:03
Sorry.
1:49:03
I'd say your honor, but I I've already given that title to one
Diana Ayala
1:49:07
of them.
Randy Mastro
1:49:08
You know, I I I just want the record to reflect to us, that was a heartbreaking situation.
1:49:15
We didn't we didn't have any animus towards housing works.
1:49:19
Housing works thought and and litigated over those issues.
1:49:22
All three of us, Lillium, myself, and friend, objective to a subsequent law department and a subsequent administration deciding to settle that case.
1:49:31
I think it's a problem you counsel members have experienced too where the law department settles cases.
1:49:36
And I value you.
1:49:37
You will never have you will always be included
Diana Ayala
1:49:40
in it.