Ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio Must Pay Nearly $500,000 for Police Detail, Judge Rules
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s attempt to skip out on paying nearly $500,000 in restitution and fines for sticking taxpayers with the bill for his NYPD detail during his failed 2020 presidential run was struck down Tuesday by a state Supreme Court judge.
Judge Tosses Out De Blasio’s Suit
Judge Shahabuddeen Abid Ally tossed out de Blasio’s suit, calling his claims that mayors are exempt from the city’s charter laws and that he was not responsible for security decisions "meritless."
COIB Ruled in June 2023
The city’s Conflicts of Interest Board ruled in June 2023 that de Blasio would have to pay back $319,794.20 – and a $155,000 fine – for travel, meal and lodging expenses for his police detail, who traveled with him and his family as soon as he announced his bid for the White House in May 2019.
De Blasio’s Defense Fails
De Blasio consulted with COIB to see if taxpayers could foot the bill for his security detail, and the board ruled in a confidential memo that while the city could pay the salaries and overtime of the officers, it couldn’t pay for their out-of-city travel costs. He traveled to Iowa, Illinois and South Carolina with them anyway.
After the fine was announced, de Blasio filed a lawsuit against the board, arguing that he was exempt from the city’s conflicts of interest rules and that it was the police department’s decision, and not his, to travel with his protective detail.
Judge Disagrees with De Blasio’s Defense
In his 81-page ruling, Ally repeatedly disagreed with de Blasio’s defense that the board’s ruling and reasoning was "irrational." The judge agreed with the board’s findings that having taxpayers pay for police protection on the campaign trail violated rules that prohibit the use of city resources for non-city purposes and that de Blasio was abusing his official position for his own personal advantage and financial gain.
Judge Rules in Favor of the City
He ruled that the city "demonstrated that petitioner’s claims that respondents acted arbitrarily and capriciously and in violation of law are meritless." De Blasio did not respond to a phone call and text message seeking comment.
Conclusion
The ruling is a significant setback for de Blasio, who had hoped to avoid paying the fine and restitution. The case highlights the importance of accountability in government and the need to ensure that public officials do not use their positions for personal gain.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the amount of the fine and restitution that de Blasio must pay?
- The fine and restitution total nearly $500,000.
- What was the purpose of de Blasio’s police detail during his presidential run?
- The detail was to provide security for de Blasio and his family as he traveled to campaign events and rallies.
- What was the ruling on de Blasio’s lawsuit against the Conflicts of Interest Board?
- The judge tossed out de Blasio’s suit, agreeing with the board’s findings and ruling that de Blasio was not exempt from the city’s conflicts of interest rules.
