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Lincoln Restler raises concerns about campaign finance rule violations
2:13:22
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141 sec
Council Member Lincoln Restler expresses serious concerns about potential violations of campaign finance rules, particularly focusing on the Cuomo for mayor campaign. He emphasizes the need for stricter enforcement and accountability in the use of public matching funds.
- Restler cites specific examples of alleged rule violations by the Cuomo campaign, including undisclosed bundlers and improper solicitation of matching funds
- He stresses the importance of identifying and addressing these issues before public funds are dispersed
- The council member calls for the CFB to have the necessary resources to operate effectively and maintain its reputation as a national model
Lincoln Restler
2:13:22
Existing regulations have reduced the influence of large, well heeled donors, but it's clear that more rigorous accountability is needed to close loopholes and prevent candidates from misusing public funds.
2:13:33
Unfortunately, in 2021, we saw a campaign receive $10,000,000 in matching funds despite flagrantly ignoring the rules and exploiting every possible loophole.
2:13:43
Now, as we approach that's in reference to mayor Adams.
2:13:47
Now, as we approach in case it wasn't painfully obvious.
2:13:51
Now, as we approach a competitive twenty twenty five primary, we are again seeing troubling signs of campaigns, including the front runner for mayor acting as if they are above the law.
2:14:01
The Cuomo for mayor campaign has reportedly benefited from at least three undisclosed bundlers who are lobbyists.
2:14:06
And despite CFB rules, the contributions solicited by lobbyists are ineligible for matching funds, the fundraising pages shared, including language about the CFB matching funds program.
2:14:16
The campaign and it will be noted that it's been reported that when the campaign engaged those lobbyists and were when the lobbyists engaged that camp the campaign and were advised that their contributions that they raised were not eligible for matching funds, the campaign encouraged them to find somebody else to be listed as the intermediary.
2:14:35
The campaign has also failed to report a single intermediary until it was questioned by the press, ignored multiple warnings by the CFB on its failure to properly solicit donations for matching funds, and even after being fined for illegally coordinating with the fix the the city pack around an ad buy, it was revealed that the ad cost nearly double the original fine.
2:14:54
This is about the CFB protecting its reputation and integrity by doing its job and holding the Cuomo campaign accountable and any other campaign accountable that breaks the rules.
2:15:03
It is imperative that we identify these issues before public funds are dispersed and not in an audit or investigation two years after the fact.
2:15:12
We cannot put the genie back in the bottle after election day.
2:15:15
With great public investment comes a serious and urgent obligation to ensure that funds are not used improperly.
2:15:22
I have great respect for the CFB team, for mister Ryan, to all the employees who work diligently to administer our complex campaign finance system.
2:15:31
And part of our responsibility at the governmental operations committee is advocating for the CFB to have the necessary resources to operate effectively.
2:15:38
I look forward to discussing today how we can work together to ensure the CFB remains a national model moving forward.