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Expectations for Campaign Finance Board's response to Mayor Adams' campaign issues

3:06:24

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Council Member Restler inquires about expectations for the Campaign Finance Board's response to Mayor Adams' campaign issues. Susan Lerner provides her perspective on the matter.

Discusses potential withholding of public funds from the Adams campaign
Lerner emphasizes the importance of maintaining public faith in elected officials' accountability
Highlights the need for a vigorous response to protect the integrity of the campaign finance system

Lincoln Restler

3:06:24

I think of Susan, but welcome any of your responses.

3:06:28

Some of the sharp election attorneys that we've spoken to about what they're anticipating may happen with matching fund disbursement decisions, relating to Mayor Adams later this month, are that the CFP may withhold 5% of public funds to the Adam Adams campaign.

3:06:50

I think, you know, what would be a slap on the wrist despite the federal indictment and multiple years of non responsiveness and troubling practices?

3:07:02

What kind if do you have any set any expectation of where this is going if we were to see just withholding of mere 5% of matching funds?

3:07:15

What kind of message do you think that would send?

Susan Lerner

3:07:17

Well, I'm completing my analysis and will be sending the CFB a letter.

3:07:25

There there are sort of 2 ways.

3:07:27

1, right now, we are at a point where the public has little faith in the accountability of elected officials.

3:07:35

There's a great deal of cynicism and a sense that corruption is pervasive.

3:07:41

And there also is a sense that our institutions cannot protect themselves, as we see at the federal level, repeatedly and as, unfortunately, I think we will experience over the next 4 years.

3:07:53

And so a very, rigid interpretation of the the commas as opposed to a sense of the policy behind the law and the message that it sends to the public is something which I hope the campaign finance board keeps in mind.

3:08:17

This particular when you have a high profile executive, they should be, frankly, probably held to a higher standard of compliance, not a lower standard of compliance because it sets the tone for every single office.

3:08:34

And there is a responsibility, I believe, which citywide candidates have, which is really significant in terms of the message that it sends to the public.

3:08:47

So I'm hopeful that that the CFP does the careful analysis, but also keeps in mind the specific requirements of protecting the system, rather than simply, looking at a very narrow view of, you know, well, there was $23 here and $15 there.

3:09:08

We have a quantum, I believe, of, conduct which requires a pretty vigorous response.

3:09:17

So but I have no insight into what the board is likely to do.

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Council Member Restler's closing remarks and future plans for election reform