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New York Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Zohran Mamdani and his lefty allies slammed for trying to tie Cuomo to dead sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein without evidence: ‘Hypocritical'
It's a Cuo blow. Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and his lefty allies are hitting below the belt by trying to tie rival Andrew Cuomo to dead sex predator Jeffrey Epstein without evidence, critics contend. The Epstein smear against Cuomo simmered behind-the-scenes for weeks, but erupted into ugly public view Tuesday when Mamdani released a campaign video mentioning both in the same breath. 'That's the thing about Andrew Cuomo: once you think you've found out about all of his scandals, you find out about another,' Mamdani ominously charged in the 90-second video, calling for the former governor to release his 'client list.' Mamdani isn't alone among New York City progressives attacking Cuomo and other, more-moderate Democrats by invoking Epstein — who remains the subject of national interest more than half a decade after his death. Councilman Chi Ossé (D-Brooklyn) posted on social media this week that Cuomo appears in Epstein's infamous contact list. 3 Mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani is under fire for insinuating his rival Andrew Cuomo has a connection with Jeffrey Epstein. YouTube/@ZohranforNYC One-time Democratic mayoral candidate Michael Blake also piled on, posting Tuesday, 'I don't know about you, but, I'm not on the Epstein contact list. Does someone want to phone his friend Andrew Cuomo to ask what they talked about?' Both attacks were mild compared to Cuomo's ex-aide Howard Glaser's nuclear meltdown spate of posts accusing the former governor of physical abuse, carousing outside his marriage and shady ties to Epstein. 'Though now is probably a good time to point out that Andrew is on Epstein's contact list,' Glaser wrote, with a screenshot showing just that. Cuomo wasn't the only moderate Dem to recently faced a scurrilous jibe from a progressive linking them to Epstein. City Comptroller Brad Lander, a Mamdani ally, drew fire last month for joking that Mayor Eric Adams is in the so-called 'Epstein files,' despite there being no hint that Hizzoner has even a tenuous tie to the convicted sex offender. The decision by President Trump's administration not to release files related to the Epstein case has sparked a rift in the Republican MAGA world, and Dems now appear to be jumping into the fray of the growing controversy. 3 Andrew Cuomo has hammered Mamdani in recent days over his $2,300 apartment. Matthew McDermott 'It's an outrage. It's disgusting,' said former Brooklyn Democratic leader Frank Seddio, a Cuomo backer, about Mamdani's take-no-prisoners campaign video. 'They complain about Donald Trump making statements without merit. Mamdani is winning the award for it. It's hypocritical for Mamdani and progressives to do that, to use innuendos,' Seddio seethed. Mamdani's ad came after Cuomo spent days hammering him over his $2,300-a-month rent-stabilized apartment. The video kicks off by recapping the sexual harassment accusations — which Cuomo vehemently denies — that led the former governor to resign, before dredging up still-unanswered questions about his recent, seemingly lucrative consulting work. The work included a luxury marina project with longtime Cuomo pal Andrew Farkas, who — as Mamdani dramatically emphasizes in the video — did similar projects with Epstein. Epstein was found hanged in a Manhattan federal jail cell in 2019, while Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021. Cuomo began the consulting work related to the 'list' Mamdani wants in 2022, the ex-governor's camp said. The guilt-by-association insinuation by Mamdani contrasted wildly with his otherwise-sunny laser focus on affordability that catapulted him from socialist dark horse candidate to a stunning victory over Cuomo in the June Democratic mayoral primary. 'You don't have to contrive anything to go after Cuomo. Just bring up his record,' said John Kaehny, executive director of the government watchdog group Reinvent Albany, noting he was surprised that Mamdani slimed Cuomo with Epstein. 'Why mess with success?' Kaeny said. 'The Cuomo-Epstein attack is not consistent with the hope and future message that Mamdani successfully pushed during the primary. I don't think it's the best frame for him.' Cuomo's name does appear in Epstein's infamous so-called 'Little Black Book,' a sprawling contact list compiled by the sex pest that includes Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Donald Trump and a slew of other business moguls, celebrities, intellectuals and politicians. 3 Cuomo has faced allegations he has vague ties to both Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The former governor shares the entry 'Kennedy Cuomo,' referring to his ex-wife Kerry Kennedy. Cuomo's pal Andrew Farkas – the linchpin of Mamdani's recent innuendos – also appears in the book. But for all the insinuations – and legitimate questions about Cuomo's unrelated consulting work – there appears no direct evidence that the ex-gov was friends with Epstein. Farkas hit back at Mamdani's claims as 'inaccurate. Innuendo' and a 'dirty move intended to create noise.' 'This has been closely examined and determined to be much ado about nothing,' he told The Post Wednesday. Still, the implication that Cuomo has ties to Epstein's sordid world appears to have struck a nerve. Cuomo has hidden replies on his X account alleging that Ghislaine Maxwell – Epstein's accused accomplice and a convicted sex trafficker – attended his wedding to Kennedy in 1990. One of Prince Andrew's distant cousins – Christina Oxenberg – made the accusation in a 2021 tell-all about Maxwell. Cuomo's camp at the time said the former governor had no recollection of Maxwell attending his wedding. A Mamdani campaign source insisted the Epstein video had been in the works for awhile and was not a response to the apartment brouhaha. Ross Wallenstein, a Democratic operative with Wall to Wall Communications, said Mamdani has nothing to lose. 'Mamdani obviously thinks this line of attack against Gov. Cuomo is effective,' he said. 'And it may very well be. If not, it's still only August. He can drop it tomorrow and try something else. 'Cuomo's approval is underwater. Attacking him doesn't hurt.' Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi said '1,000 percent' that Mamdani unleashed the Epstein smear because he was rattled by the ex-governor landing a blow on his apartment. 'The whole thing is BS,' Azzopardi said. 'It shows that Mamdani has a glass jaw. The moment Mandami is criticized for his wealth, privilege and abuse of the rent stabilization program, he freaks out and throws spaghetti against the well. Do people want a mayor like that?' Cuomo, the son of former governor Mario Cuomo who lives in an $8,200-a-month luxury apartment, has long faced accusations that he's a thin-skinned bully.
New York Post
16-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC comptroller candidate boasts 70 endorsements from faith leaders — but some have never heard of him
A Brooklyn Democrat bragged that he was endorsed by more than 70 faith leaders last week — but a bunch of his supposed supporters said they never even heard of him. City comptroller candidate Justin Brannan's campaign boasted about the 'major show of grassroots support' from bishops, pastors and reverends in a since-deleted social media post last Wednesday, but some religious leaders immediately wondered how they even ended up on the list. 'This man is unknown to me and I did not grant permission for my name to be listed. I'm not endorsing ANYONE!' Bishop E.M. Davis – who was listed as Pastor Joon Davis – posted on Facebook. 3 Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn) is term-limited and running to be the NYC Comptroller. Paul Martinka 'This endorsement was made without my permission,' Rev. Diamond Clinton-White – who was listed as Rev. Diamond Clinton – posted in an Instagram story. Roughly a dozen religious leaders said they had been listed as supporting Brannan — who is now a member of the City Council — to be the next fiscal watchdog without being contacted by the campaign. The Post spoke to four of the faith leaders upset that their names were used to endorse a candidate without their permission. 'It's just awkward and I felt violated,' Bishop Davis said. 3 The social post has since been taken down. 3 The campaign stumble comes as Brannan tries to make up ground with a large swatch of undecided voters. Tyshaun Brown/Facebook Pastor Louis Bligen, who only learned he was on the list when contacted for comment, felt like the comptroller was being forced onto him. 'I don't appreciate that. Let me make my own decision,' Pastor Bligen said. A spokesperson for Brannan's campaign blamed the gaffe on an external vendor who was tasked with drumming up support for religious leaders. The endorsement announcement has since been taken down and the campaign is trying to verify who had and hadn't voiced support for Brannan, the spokesperson said. 'This happens. We have big support among faith leaders, but the tweet is down for now while we update the list,' the spokesperson said. The news comes with just over a week left in the Democratic primary as Brannan, who is term-limited, tries to win over the nearly one-third of undecided voters. The frontrunner, current Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, polled at 44% compared to Brannan's 14% in a Honan Strategy Group poll from June 11. Brannan also dropped an internal poll last week that had him trailing Levine by 11 percentage points with 44% of voters still undecided.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pro-sanctuary Dems, activists launch Albany sit-in to push law that would restrict ICE
ALBANY — Activists and socialist Democratic lawmakers held a sit-in on a busy street outside the state Capitol to push for a bill that would expand the state's controversial sanctuary policies. The so-called NY4All Act would stop all police and New York state employees from working with immigration authorities. 'We will remain here until NY4All passes,' one activist with a bullhorn declared. The demonstration blocking Washington Avenue came as unrest over ICE raids roiled Los Angeles, where President Trump took the extraordinary step of deploying the National Guard and Marines. Support for NY4All in the state legislature is on shaky ground at best. Republicans have blasted the bill despite its longshot status. 'While President Trump continues to remove dangerous criminals here illegally, the NY for ALl Act will make our state a safe harbor and magnet for illegal immigration,' Assemblyman Matt Slater (R-Westchester) told The Post in a statement. 'Clearly, Democrats learned nothing from the failed open border policies of the past.' Socialist pols including state Assembly members Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn), Marcela Mitaynes (D-Brooklyn) and Claire Valdez (D-Queens) spent about an hour at the sit-in, which was organized by the New York Immigration Coalition. Gallagher referred to the Trump administration as 'fascist' in an X post featuring a video of her sitting in the street as a brass ensemble played in the background, threatening to drown out her words. 'ICE might still overwhelm us, but we need to make sure that we are doing everything that we can to protect our community members,' she said. The bill — beyond restricting local and state law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities — would prohibit ICE from entering state property without a judicial warrant, stop county jails from boarding out ICE detainees and bar state employees from entering any information about a person's immigration status into a state database. The sit-in led many buses to reroute as it unfolded along an intersection that's a major stop for many bus routes going in and out of Albany. The activists were cleared away by 4:30 p.m. and no arrests were made.
New York Post
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Mamdani doubles down on bizarre refusal to sign resolution condemning Holocaust
NYC Socialist mayoral wannabe Zohran Mamdani continued to offer a bizarre excuse Saturday about why he refused to sign a resolution denouncing the Holocaust, and blew off questions about skipping out on a separate resolution celebrating Israel's 77th anniversary. The pro-Palestine state Assemblyman from Queens parroted his staff's response after the firestorm of criticism, insisting he didn't sign the Holocaust resolution because he's not co-sponsoring any resolutions in this year's legislative session. 'This year at the beginning of the year, I told my staff that we would not co-sponsor any resolutions that came into our Assembly office, and that has nothing to do with the substance of the resolution. I'm proud to be a supporter of that resolution,' the embattled lawmaker said leaving a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the United Federation of Teachers in Midtown. 3 NYC Socialist mayoral wannabe Zohran Mamdani continued to offer a bizarre excuse Saturday about why he refused to sign off on a resolution condemning the Holocaust. Robert Miller 'I was proud to vote for the Holocaust resolution,' he added. 'I voted for that resolution every year that I've been in office.' 'I would absolutely sign the resolution' in the future, Mamdani insisted. The resolution calls on the state to proclaim Jan. 27, 2025 as Holocaust Remembrance Day in the state of New York. He refused to elaborate on why he's not co-sponsoring resolutions this year. Mamdani also dodged questions from The Post when asked why he skipped signing another resolution Wednesday celebrating the Jewish state's 77th anniversary, opting instead to get an endorsement in the mayoral race from anti-Israel former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-Bronx). 'Thank you so much,' Mamdani said Saturday when asked about the Israel resolution before walking away. 3 Ex-'Squad' Rep. Jamaal Bowman endorses Zohran Mamdani for mayor. Courtesy of the Mamdani Campaign Mamdani is running second in most Democratic mayoral primary pols, trailing only former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but his snub of the resolutions have sparked outrage as New York City counts the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Four other fellow socialist Dems joined Mamdani in not signing onto the pro-Israel resolution: Assemblymembers Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn), Claire Valdez (D-Queens), Marcela Mitaynes (D-Brooklyn) and Sarahana Shrestha (D-Ulster). That resolution called for 'congratulation the State of Israel on the 77th of its establishment and reaffirming the bonds of friendship, cooperation, and shared values between the people of the State of New York and Israel.' 3 People waving Israeli flags at a 'March of the Living' event in Budapest on May 11, 2025. Mamdani opposes signing off on a resolution recognizing Israel's 77th anniversary AFP via Getty Images It also designated 2025 as the '77th Anniversary of the establishment of the modern State of Israel in the ancestral home of the Jewish people.' Mamdani's campaign spokesperson Andrew Epstein told Politico the mayoral candidate opposes the Israel resolution because it notes Israel 'continues to strive for peace with security and dignity for itself, its neighbors and throughout the world in order to fulfill the prophecy of becoming a light unto the nations.' 'I think that is belied by the conduct of the right-wing government over the past 18 months,' Epstein insisted. Ex-City Councilman David Greenfield (D-Brooklyn), who now runs the Met Council charity, said Mamdani's refusal to back the Holocaust resolution – no matter the reason — makes him 'unfit to be mayor.' 'NOT supporting a pro-Israel resolution does NOT make you an antisemite,' he said on X. 'However, NOT recognizing the Holocaust certainly does.'
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
NYPD chief suing NYC councilwoman who bit him at protest, despite ‘healing' meeting
A City Councilwoman who dodged criminal charges for biting an NYPD chief at a Brooklyn protest could still face a judge over the matter — in civil court. Frank DiGiacomo, deputy chief of Patrol Brooklyn South, served his Brooklyn Supreme Court lawsuit against Councilwoman Susan Zhuang (D-Brooklyn) at her Gravesend home on April 9, a day after criminal charges were dismissed against her for the bloody assault, according to court records. Before the criminal case was dropped, Zhuang, 39, and DiGiacomo met as part of a 'restorative justice' program, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's office. Cop-boosting councilmember who allegedly bit officer at Brooklyn protest accuses NYPD of 'brutality' and 'Asian hate' NYC councilwoman who bit cop hits sidewalk to raise money for legal defense Brooklyn DA drops charges against council member who bit NYPD chief — instead opts for 'restorative justice' NYPD chief suing councilwoman who bit him at protest, despite 'healing' meeting The face-to-face and ultimate dismissal of the criminal charges was 'based on the wishes of the victim and the defendant's willingness to make amends,' Brooklyn DA spokesman Oren Yaniv said in a statement at the time. 'This case was resolved through a restorative justice process that created space for dialogue, accountability, and healing,' touted the statement. But despite the apparent kumbaya moment, DiGiacomo is proceeding with the lawsuit accusing Zhuang of negligence and of leaving him 'permanently injured' and suffering from great 'trauma and distress,' court records show. DiGiacomo, who seeks unspecified damages, previously claimed needed a tetanus shot after Zhuang chomped on his arm while he tried to hold barricades in place at a July protest against a Bensonhurst homeless shelter. 'The lawsuit has nothing to do with the resolution of the criminal case,' Yaniv told The Post. The lawmaker had pleaded not guilty to all charges and claimed she was protecting an elderly demonstrator being manhandled by police. Neither DiGiacomo nor his lawyer, who initially filed the lawsuit on March 18 and waited three weeks to serve Zhuang with the legal filing, responded to messages seeking comment. Zhuang declined comment.
