By Post Editorial Board
April 19, 2019 | 7:09pme
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De Blasio still ducking ethics violations questions
Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt couldn’t have run faster than Mayor de Blasio did Friday when it came to questions about Hizzoner’s ethics. And it’s clear why: The questions reveal just how sleazy he is.
WNYC’s Brian Lehrer was asking the mayor why, as a newly released Department of Investigation reportfound, he sought donations from people who had business with the city, despite warnings not to do so.
De Blasio skirted the question: It “happened years ago and was addressed years ago and the case was closed,” he replied.
Sorry, Mr. Mayor. As Lehrer noted, the DOI probe “only ended in October, [its] conclusions about you violating the ethics guidelines were only published yesterday and this morning The City reports that a state investigation is still ongoing. So can you really say this is all behind you?”
“I’m just not going into [it] any further,” barked de Blasio. Pressed, the mayor tried to end it: “I have nothing else to say.”
And that was basically a replay of the day before, when he refused to answer reporters’ queries: “I’ve spoken to it,” he huffed. “I’m just not getting into it further.”
If de Blasio had followed “the legal guidance,” as he claims, and “everything” he did was “appropriate,” why not explain his actions and address the new DOI accusations? The answer: He has no answer.
Let’s face it: De Blasio has operated on a pay-to-play basis since Day One, pushing fat cats who sought favors from the city to write checks to his now-shuttered Campaign for One New York. Prosecutors said as much, though they opted not to indict him, citing the high bar for a conviction.
Now, as New Yorkers are learning about the DOI report, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics is continuing its own probe, and new questions have arisen over his fundraising for a possible presidential run.
So when de Blasio says, “I have nothing else to say,” here’s what he really means: “Yeah, I’m corrupt. What are you going to do about it?” Now that’s a good question.FILED UNDER
BILL DE BLASIO, CORRUPTION, DEPARTMENT OF INVESTIGATION, EDITORIAL, JOINT COMMISSION ON PUBLIC ETHICS, PAY TO PLAY
