Q&A
Questioning Mastro's ability to represent all city officers impartially
0:50:12
·
3 min
Council Member Adams questions Randy Mastro about his ability to represent all city officers impartially, given his history with the Giuliani administration. Mastro defends his record, citing endorsements from Democratic officials and his history of constructive relationships with the City Council.
- Mastro emphasizes his track record of reaching across the aisle and building bridges
- He cites endorsements from Democratic officials as evidence of his ability to work with all parties
- Mastro highlights his role in achieving a sweeping legislative agenda during his time in city government
Adrienne E. Adams
0:50:12
Thank you.
0:50:13
Thank you very much, chair.
0:50:14
And thank you once again, Mister Mastro, for your testimony thus far.
0:50:18
I'm gonna be speaking from a couple of different perspectives.
0:50:23
I I first wanna go into the roll up Corporation Council.
0:50:27
Under the city chart of the Corporation Council is the attorney for the city, including its elected officials, agencies, and most important for us here, the Corporation Council is charged to represent the people.
0:50:40
Of the city and the best interests of the city as a whole.
0:50:44
As the city's attorney, the corporation counsel is lawyer to not only the mayor, but all of the other branch IS AT OFFICES OF GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE COUNCIL, CONTROLLER, PUBLIC ADVOCATE AND Borrow PRESIDENT AND MUST HAVE THE INDEPENDENCE TO DETERMIN WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY as opposed to one particular official or branch of city government.
0:51:10
Throughout your career in city government, all of which took place during the Giuliani administration, there was immense antagonism to the council, but also to other city elected officials, most notably the office of the public advocate.
0:51:28
Given this history and your role, as one of the highest ranking officials in that administration.
0:51:35
How can this council trust that you will faithfully represent the interests of all of the city's officers, not just the mayors?
Randy Mastro
0:51:48
Madam speaker, I respectfully disagree with the characterization, but it's not just me disagreeing with the characterization.
0:51:56
It's former city council speaker Peter Malone who says, quote, Randy Mastro is an excellent lawyer who knows right from wrong, and he would be an excellent corporation counsel.
0:52:07
Mark
Adrienne E. Adams
0:52:08
I I that's not my question, sir.
Randy Mastro
0:52:10
Okay.
0:52:10
But you said there was terrible animosity.
Adrienne E. Adams
0:52:12
That's not my question though.
Randy Mastro
0:52:13
Okay.
0:52:14
I'm
Adrienne E. Adams
0:52:14
I'm I'm asking you Yes.
0:52:17
How the council can trust that you will faithfully represent the interests of all the city's officers and not just a mayor that's coming from you.
Randy Mastro
0:52:23
Okay.
0:52:24
Thank you.
0:52:28
You you hopefully know and will hear from some former city councilmen today.
0:52:36
Actually, the respect that that I had and how well I worked with the council when I was deputy mayor in charge of intergovernmental relations.
0:52:44
So you know there is a track record of me with speaker Malone, his senior staff, and the council members, some of whom will testify here today about how constructively I worked with the council I was deputy mayor responsible for only one side of the hall.
0:52:58
Now let me be clear on on issues that you can take to the bank about why I will be an independent force for good representing this council in ways that no court council ever has before on affirmative litigation.
0:53:19
How does that work?
0:53:20
That works because I work with each of you, all 51 of you, to identify cases of concern in your districts.
0:53:28
On civil rights, constitutional rights, tenants rights, workers' rights, consumer protection, or environmental protection, and then we bring those cases.
0:53:36
Closing illegal smoke shops, going after gun violence, gang violence, drugs, I work with each of you as court counsel and have a dedicated larger team to bring those cases.
Adrienne E. Adams
0:53:47
Mister Mastro respectfully, you are projecting into the future.