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Q&A
Recusal plans and guidance from the Conflicts of Interest Board
0:34:52
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123 sec
Council Member Keith Powers inquires about Randy Mastro's recusal plans based on guidance from the Conflicts of Interest Board. Mastro confirms his agreement with the guidance and his commitment to following it, while also discussing potential future steps.
- Mastro agrees to abide by the Conflicts Board's guidance on recusal
- The guidance letter is not a formal opinion, but Mastro commits to following it
- Mastro agrees to seek further guidance if needed, particularly regarding former clients
- He commits to recusing himself from matters involving current clients that involve the city
Keith Powers
0:34:52
Okay.
0:34:52
And do you agree with the findings or letter from the Boyd Deputy General Counsel on their guidance letter about your recusal?
Randy Mastro
0:34:58
I I I I offered to do exactly what they said I should do before they ruled, and I will, of course, abide by that guidance.
0:35:06
And, of course, I respect the Conflict board.
Keith Powers
0:35:09
Understood.
0:35:09
And the letter that they provide is a form is not a they've stated it is not a formal opinion of the conferences board.
0:35:14
It's providing information and guidance to you.
0:35:16
I think it's from the deputy council.
0:35:17
Have you sought out a formal opinion from the conferences board on any of those matters?
0:35:23
In terms of the full board.
Randy Mastro
0:35:24
Not not beyond the guidance that was given because I offered going in and told your counsel's office as well that I will be recusing myself from anything that has to do with Gibson Dunner King and Spalding.
Keith Powers
0:35:36
Understand.
0:35:37
And so is there is there a a plan to see you got a formal opinion to provide a more comprehensive opinion evaluation.
0:35:44
Are you gonna I'm just I'm just I understand your refusal process in with your prior firms.
0:35:51
You'll file the letter that is provided to you on April 30th confident to support?
Randy Mastro
0:35:55
Absolutely.
0:35:56
And if there's a need for further guidance, I've done this before.
0:36:01
I will get that guidance and follow that guidance to the letter.
Keith Powers
0:36:04
Okay.
0:36:05
The guidance letter states I think fairly clearly you're to recuse yourself and matters with your past and current employers.
0:36:10
Have you seen saw any guidance?
0:36:11
It it it noticeably has happened on your present or past clients and was wondering if you had saw that guidance on whether or Quesal would be necessary for, let's say, your present clients who might be challenging the city of New York.
Randy Mastro
0:36:25
The ruling didn't reach present clients who I no longer be representing, but I did represent to the Conflicts Board that any matter for a current client that involved the city in any way, I would be recusing myself from.
0:36:40
If if it or if the situation arises that a former client is appearing before the city, I'll seek further guidance from the conflict's board to the extent that's that seems appropriate and warranted and, of course, follow any such advice.