The city's Campaign Finance Board says Mayor Bill de Blasio's outside nonprofit group did not break campaign finance laws, but the board chairwoman had tough words for the mayor Wednesday and urged city officials to crack down on groups like de Blasio's. NY1's Grace Rauh filed the following report.
The city's Campaign Finance Board says the mayor's outside nonprofit group did not violate campaign finance laws, but it sharply criticized the mayor's fundraising practices nonetheless.
"It defies common sense that limits that work so well during the campaign should be set aside once the candidate has assumed elected office," said Campaign Finance Board Chairwoman Rose Gil Hearn.
When the mayor ran for office, he and his rivals were prohibited from raising more than $4,950 from individuals. The nonprofit group he set up shortly after the election, though, pulled in six-figure sums from donors.
"We have a public policy here in our city about large campaign contributions. We don't allow them. We don't allow a pay-to-play atmosphere. And the mayor has gone around that, and there is no excuse for that," said Susan Lerner of Common Cause New York.
A spokesman for the mayor said, "The Campaign for One New York was formed to advocate for New York City’s progressive policy agenda. It never engaged in any election campaign activity for any candidate and shut down more than a year and a half before next year’s election. We are pleased with today’s CFB decision."
The decision comes as state and federal investigators examine the mayor's fundraising activities. The mayor has said repeatedly that he followed the law.
The campaign finance board and government watchdogs are now calling on the City Council and mayor to pass legislation cracking down on nonprofit groups linked to politicians. Right now, there are no limits on the amount of money donors, including those who need a favor from City Hall, can give.
"In making those contributions, you've got to believe that they gain the attention and interest of the mayor, if not the support of the mayor. And for our government to be run in that way is simply undemocratic and unfair," said Dick Dadey of Citizens Union.
It will now be up to the City Council and Mayor to decide whether or not to act. The Council speaker said in a statement that she looks forward to reviewing the Campaign Finance Board's decision.