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Concerns raised about Parks Department contractors with legal issues

1:07:17

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Council Member Krishnan expresses concerns about the Parks Department working with contractors involved in serious legal issues. He specifically mentions Griffin Landscaping and their recent legal troubles.

Griffin Landscaping pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud
The company is currently bidding on over $20 million worth of work with the Parks Department
Two projects have been awarded to Griffin Landscaping and are awaiting registration by the New York City Controller
The council member questions the department's approach to working with problematic contractors

Shekar Krishnan

1:07:17

Got it.

1:07:17

Okay.

1:07:17

And I commend you all for doing so too.

1:07:19

I know that's something we had talked about.

1:07:21

Now, look, I think a lot of these issues when it comes to our tree canopy are the result of city hall failing to fund the forestry division the way that it should.

1:07:29

These numbers are unacceptably low.

1:07:32

One thing I will note, though, and we'll hold a hearing on the tree canopy later on this year but I do think, and I know I'm not the only one that thinks this, that the Parks Department really needs to evaluate the contractors that it's working with to manage our street trees.

1:07:46

We had gone over before a contractor that was convicted on serious charges.

1:07:54

I appreciate the steps the Park Department has taken to address the issues with that contractor.

1:08:01

But there's also another one that's come to our attention too, which is Griffin's landscaping.

1:08:06

They pled guilty on 10/26/2024 to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, one count for wire fraud, Griffin's Landscaping, the owner of the company, was recently denied his motion to withdraw his guilty plea by the district court judge.

1:08:25

Griffin Landscaping is currently bidding on a $20,000,000 plus of work in the New York City Parks Department, of which two projects have been awarded and are awaiting registration by the New York City Controller.

1:08:36

Is that correct?

Susan Donoghue

1:08:39

Yes, that is correct.

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Discussion on Parks Department's decision-making process for problematic contractors