Q&A
Mastro's views on using city resources to defend officials against sexual assault allegations
3:37:15
·
4 min
Council Member Farías questions Randy Mastro about his views on using city resources to defend officials against sexual assault allegations, referencing the departure of Judge Hinds-Radix. Mastro claims no knowledge of the background and defends his record on diversity.
- Farías mentions Judge Hinds-Radix's departure over disagreements about using city resources to defend against sexual assault allegations
- Mastro claims no knowledge of the background Farías is referring to
- He defends his record on diversity, citing his efforts to increase diversity in his previous law firm
- Farías expresses concerns about Mastro joining an administration with a track record of women commissioners departing
- Mastro emphasizes his qualifications and past work on civil rights cases
Amanda Farías
3:37:15
It has been widely reported that judge Heinz Radix left her role as corporation counsel because she believed that the law department and city resources should not be used to defend a top associate of the mayor's against sexual assault and harassment allegations.
3:37:30
Given that you are seeking this role at the mayor's nomination to replace judge Heinz Ratix, it seems fair to believe that you think this is an appropriate role for the corporation council.
3:37:40
How can we, as the 1st women majority legislative body of this city, believe that you can run an inclusive workplace that isn't hostile to women given the controversy of a legal decision on gender based harassment and violence that truths your nomination to replace someone who's principal legal position seems unappreciated.
Randy Mastro
3:38:00
Well, I don't know any of that background that you are referring to, but I I have a a proven track record of diversity, including in my own law firm where, you know, I took a a litigation partnership in New York we had no diverse partners, no women partners, and we were over 30% women and many diverse partners by the time I left.
Amanda Farías
3:38:30
Okay.
3:38:30
We will continue on with the questions then so we can get to the rest of it.
3:38:34
Judge Hines Radix wasn't the 1st or the last woman commissioner, mostly women of color who have left the Adams administration, including several alleged who have been pushed out.
3:38:44
Why do you feel comfortable joining administration as a white man to replace a woman of color in light of this track record of independent women commissioners and leaders outside of city hall departing?
Randy Mastro
3:38:54
Well, I never thought of this as being about who I am.
3:39:03
I thought of this about being about my qualifications to serve no matter what.
Amanda Farías
3:39:10
But that is directly connected to your experience.
3:39:13
Right?
Randy Mastro
3:39:13
No matter what rate
Amanda Farías
3:39:14
Your lived experience and how you get to move to the world.
3:39:18
And upon reflection of coming into this position, replacing under the circumstances, women of color are being replaced to the south.
Randy Mastro
3:39:24
Reflects my worldview.
3:39:26
Is 40 years ago representing Janet Morgan Black School Teacher who'd been improperly discharged and was the victim of racial discrimination and violated academic freedom.
3:39:37
What shows who I am?
3:39:39
Are they representation of peaceful racial justice protesters after George Floyd's murder in June 2020.
3:39:46
Most of whom were blessed.
Amanda Farías
3:39:46
I mean, I've
Randy Mastro
3:39:47
what represents my value.
Amanda Farías
3:39:48
Respectfully and what I have
Randy Mastro
3:39:50
done here.
3:39:51
LGBTQ community.
Crystal Hudson
3:39:52
Do you need
Amanda Farías
3:39:53
do you need a minute?
3:39:54
No.
3:39:54
Okay.
Randy Mastro
3:39:55
Please let
Amanda Farías
3:39:55
What what I'm saying when you is you're sitting here, you're claiming that you've worked on expanding gender roles and all of those items, but really, like, we're entering ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH ENTERING A SPACE IN AN ADMINISTRATION THAT IS KNOWN TO PUSH OUT WOMAN OF COLOUR?
3:40:11
THAT'S THE QUESTION.
3:40:15
I
Randy Mastro
3:40:17
DON'T KNOW THAT that that that to be the case or that to be a fair characterization.
Amanda Farías
3:40:25
So do you believe that judge Heinz Radix is qualified to be a corporation counsel?
3:40:31
As a black woman, 34
Randy Mastro
3:40:33
year termed I I already told you I have nothing but respect for judge radics.
3:40:39
And I and I personally appeared before I respect her.
3:40:42
This isn't about, you know, any this isn't about my views of her.
3:40:47
I had nothing but respect for her.
Amanda Farías
3:40:50
And what about the acting court counsel?
Randy Mastro
3:40:55
I have nothing but respect for her.
3:40:56
She have a student be the daughter of one of the first mayors I voted for, Wilson Good, when I was a student in Philadelphia.
Rita Joseph
3:41:04
Okay.
Amanda Farías
3:41:08
Let's move on from
UNKNOWN
3:41:10
Actually, he
Randy Mastro
3:41:10
was the next elective
Amanda Farías
3:41:11
In the 1990 Was the
Randy Mastro
3:41:13
next elected mayor.
Amanda Farías
3:41:14
Mister Mashro?
3:41:15
Yes.
3:41:15
We're gonna move on.
Randy Mastro
3:41:16
Sorry.
Amanda Farías
3:41:17
In the 1990s, there was a national right wing movement aimed at dismantling bilingual education.