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Questions about Mastro's pro bono work for Mayor Adams' office

1:25:49

·

154 sec

Council Member Diana Ayala questioned Randy Mastro about his pro bono legal work for Mayor Adams' office in 2023. Mastro revealed that the work was related to the migrant crisis, focusing on expediting asylum applications and work permits for asylum seekers. He estimated the work took place over a 4-6 month period.

The work was not previously disclosed until the council began asking questions
Mastro defended his actions as public service and expressed willingness to help the city
The exact number of hours spent on this work was not specified

Diana Ayala

1:25:49

Thank you, chair.

1:25:51

Before we begin, I just wanted to add that we do have all of the endorsements on file, and so I would rather not go through them individually, and I think that those folks that are here to speak on your behalf will have their opportunity to do that.

1:26:06

We have a number of questions and a number of colleagues that have their own set of questions.

1:26:11

And so we want to kind of run through this as efficiently and yet as quickly as possible without taking away from your responses.

1:26:20

Mister Matcher, I wanted to follow-up on the chair's questions with one more about your background information.

1:26:26

King and Spalding informed us that in 2022, you did some pro bono legal work for mayor Adams office.

1:26:31

Can you tell us about the exact focus and subject of that work?

1:26:35

It's time and length, and how many hours?

Randy Mastro

1:26:40

It was actually in 2023.

1:26:46

Predominantly in 2023.

1:26:48

It was relating to the migrant crisis.

1:26:53

And without waiving privilege, I'm authorized to say was for the city and the mayor's office.

1:27:01

And without waving privilege, I'm authorized to say that it related to ensuring that asylum seekers got their asylum applications heard in a timely manner, which hasn't been happening, that they would could get work permits as quickly as possible, which hasn't been happening.

1:27:23

And what federal resources might be available to help the city in the crisis.

1:27:31

Those were the general subject matters on which we provided legal advice There was no subsequent action or outcome to report, but that was the nature of the advice.

Diana Ayala

1:27:43

Okay.

1:27:43

And how many hours and, you know, how long did you do this work?

Randy Mastro

1:27:49

It was over a period of months, and I don't know the hours.

Diana Ayala

1:27:54

2 months, 3 months, 6 months?

Randy Mastro

1:27:57

I would be guesstimating, but I would say it was over a 4 to 6 month period.

Diana Ayala

1:28:05

So that's a pretty substantial amount of time.

Randy Mastro

1:28:07

It it council member, it was it's it's one of hundreds of cases I work on.

1:28:16

So I don't think the actual hours were were that significant, but I don't know the exact number of hours.

Diana Ayala

1:28:23

Understood.

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Concerns about Mastro's impartiality given his relationship with the mayor