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Council Member Restler seeks clarification on relationships with individuals mentioned in Daily News article
1:13:10
ยท
124 sec
Council Member Restler presses for clear answers regarding Commissioner Holmes' relationships with individuals mentioned in a Daily News article, amid some tension and interruptions.
- Restler asks for yes or no answers about prior relationships with specific individuals
- Commissioner Holmes denies nepotism and provides explanations for her connections to some individuals
- The council chair intervenes to maintain order and request direct answers
- Holmes clarifies her relationships (or lack thereof) with the mentioned individuals
- The exchange ends with Restler suggesting that the Department of Investigation will follow up on the matter
Lincoln Restler
1:13:10
I just have a simple yes or no question.
1:13:12
Of the five people that I mentioned that were referenced to the Daily News today that the Department of Investigation is apparently investigating
Juanita Holmes
1:13:18
Department of Investigations, first of is not investigating.
1:13:21
The only thing the Department of Investigations looked into was the doctor from Shamik Walton.
1:13:26
That doctor, when I was borough commander in Queens, attended council hearings, did council events, did events in the community.
1:13:34
That's how I know Doctor.
1:13:36
Salim.
1:13:36
He is not my personal doctor.
1:13:38
He was a doctor that fit and was suitable, but he had to be vetted by my chief of staff, Chamin Walton, informed him he was qualified and approved by the city to be hired as a one time vendor for 60 vouchers, $20,000 paid, never revisited again.
Lincoln Restler
1:13:57
For the other four individuals who were mentioned in
Juanita Holmes
1:13:59
the I do not and did not and one is sitting at this table, know the doctor.
1:14:04
This is the this is the former doctor here.
Lincoln Restler
1:14:07
And you had no prior
Juanita Holmes
1:14:08
relationship fine.
Bridget Hamblin
1:14:08
Commission has already stated that hiring is not being done by nepotism.
1:14:12
You asked whether hiring is being done by nepotism.
1:14:15
Hiring is not being done
Lincoln Restler
1:14:16
by I'm asked if there was a prior relationship with And
Juanita Holmes
1:14:18
I just I just informed She had She
Althea Stevens
1:14:20
I'm looking
Juanita Holmes
1:14:21
for answers to Excuse
Amanda Farias
1:14:22
me.
1:14:22
As chair of the hearing, I'm going to recenter us here.
1:14:27
Council member Ressler has asked for a yes or no.
1:14:29
Please give a yes or no on each of the individuals and then we can move on in the interest of time and of maintaining decorum in this hearing.
Lincoln Restler
1:14:36
Thank you.
1:14:37
No prior relationship, no familiar relationship with any of the other four individuals who I mentioned.
1:14:42
Yes or no?
1:14:43
I can go by one by one, would you prefer?
1:14:45
I'll do that.
Juanita Holmes
1:14:46
Doctor.
1:14:47
Salib?
Lincoln Restler
1:14:48
You explained.
Juanita Holmes
1:14:49
I just explained.
Lincoln Restler
1:14:50
The gentleman to your
Juanita Holmes
1:14:50
Doctor Polano?
1:14:52
No.
1:14:53
Angelina Puerto?
1:14:54
Angelina Porto, I know from school.
1:14:58
No familiar relationship with No familiar relationship with Michael or the other
Lincoln Restler
1:15:03
individual.
1:15:03
With Angel.
1:15:04
There's no
Juanita Holmes
1:15:04
No familiar Nope.
1:15:06
With any of the three people.
1:15:06
There's no familiar No.
1:15:07
I just stated that.
1:15:08
Okay.
Lincoln Restler
1:15:08
I just wanted to make sure we got it on the record.
Juanita Holmes
1:15:10
And I didn't hire them.
Althea Stevens
1:15:12
Okay.
1:15:12
Thank you.
1:15:12
We will we
Lincoln Restler
1:15:13
will let the OI take it from here.
1:15:14
So juvenile justice or juvenile delinquency, excuse me.