Latest news with #ethicscomplaint
Fox News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Criticism over socialist NYC candidate Mamdani's rent-stabilized apartment mounts after ethics complaint
Criticism against socialist candidate for New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, over his acquisition of a rent-stabilized apartment as someone who makes close to $150,000 a year, is ramping up after a watchdog issued a complaint to New York's government ethics commission. The issue came front-and-center earlier this month after Mamdani's opponent, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, began criticizing Mamdani for occupying a rent-stabilized apartment as a New York state assemblyperson who makes around $150,000 per year. Cuomo recently announced plans to pass "Zohran's Law," which he said would "keep the rich out of New York's affordable housing." "It has been reported that New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani resides in a one-bedroom, rent-stabilized apartment in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens. In public statements, Mr. Mamdani has said his monthly rent is approximately $2,300. According to publicly available rental market data, the average rent for a comparable one-bedroom in Astoria is about $3,002," stated a complaint filed with the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government by American Institute for Economic Research economist Jason Sorens, reviewed by Fox News Digital. "Questions have been raised in public discussion about the timeline of his tenancy in relation to when New York State ethics rules apply to elected officials," Sorens complaint continued. "If at the start of Mr. Mamdani's tenancy, the relevant ethics regulations were applicable to him, then it could be appropriate to investigate whether any assistance he may have received in securing a rent-stabilized apartment qualified as a gift under the law." Mamdani's campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital, but the Democratic Party candidate has argued that he moved into the apartment when he was only making $47,000 and was not even aware of the fact it was rent-stabilized. "Right-wing think tanks and MAGA billionaires' pathetic attempts to distract from Zohran Mamdani's mission to make NYC more affordable will fail, just as they did in the primary where New Yorkers resoundingly rejected Andrew Cuomo in a humiliating defeat," Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec said, according to the New York Post. However, Sorens described Mamdani's defense that he didn't know his apartment was rent-stabilized as "implausible," citing the mayoral candidate's background working as a foreclosure specialist. "I've candidly found it implausible that while working as a Tenant Advocate, he would not know that his own apartment was rent stabilized, particularly since it's such a big benefit, not just when you sign the lease, but obviously for every year going forward that you maintain it," Sorens said. "I don't know about you, but for my family, that would be a significant windfall. We would notice that. So it's curious, maybe he was telling the truth, but it is curious that he insists that he didn't know." Sorens also argued that given the scarcity of affordable apartments in New York City, "it invites a question about whether someone may have helped him as a politically connected activist." "The bigger picture here, really, is that, you know, I'm not a political operative. I'm an economist. But I study rent control, and one of the negative side effects of rent control and rent stabilization is that these policies create an artificial skinny of affordable apartments, and it rewards having pull," Sorens concluded.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Global Partners sues Massachusetts Department of Transportation amid failed expansion bid
This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Global Partners LP is suing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for failing to provide documentation from the process that awarded U.K.-based Applegreen approval to rebuild and operate 18 Massachusetts travel plazas through 2060, according to new filings in Suffolk County Superior Court. The Aug. 8 lawsuit accuses MassDOT of 'willfully violating the Massachusetts Public Records Law by failing to timely provide key documents' from the process, Global Partners said in a press release. This comes less than a month after Global Partners filed an ethics complaint and requested an investigation into MassDOT's process, which the company had 'serious concerns' about. Global Partners is seeking a court order that requires MassDOT to 'immediately release all responsive public records' and offer 'injunctive relief to prevent further concealment.' Dive Insight: MassDOT accepted Applegreen's 35-year, $750 million proposal for the travel plazas in mid-June. Less than a week later, Global Partners expressed public frustration at the decision, noting that its own pitch was more cost-effective and logical since Global Partners is a local entity. In late July, the company called for an investigation into Scott Bosworth, the state official who helped oversee Applegreen's proposal to MassDOT, citing concern over Bosworth's past involvement with Applegreen and whether his professional relationships may have impacted MassDOT's decision. At the time of the ethics complaint, Global Partners said MassDOT failed to produce documents relating to Bosworth and the granting process, which prompted Global Partners to file a formal petition with the Secretary of State's Office for violation of the Public Records Act. According to the lawsuit and announcement from Global Partners, the c-store retailer has submitted four formal records requests since June into Bosworth's and Applegreen's past communications, his conflicts of interest and communication within MassDOT regarding the revenue aspects of the proposal. While MassDOT has produced some documentation, it 'unjustifiably withheld' others, such as internal deliberations and conflict disclosures, according to the announcement. Global Partners is now suing MassDOT for having failed to produce 'crucial communications, evaluations, and internal records within the time frames required by state law,' according to its announcement. The retailer also alleges that MassDOT is withholding said documents even as it proceeds towards its early November timeline to seal the agreement with Applegreen. Eric Slifka, president, chairman and CEO of Global Partners, said the situation is 'a blatant attempt to run out the clock on transparency.' 'This isn't just a fight about one contract,' he said. 'This is about public trust, proper governance, and making sure decisions of this magnitude aren't buried in secrecy.' Global Partners' Chief Legal Officer Sean Geary, who signed off on the lawsuit, said 'MassDOT's conduct threatens the integrity of the entire procurement process.' 'The agency has failed to timely comply with the law, ignored red flags throughout the process, and kept the public in the dark as it speeds toward a signing deadline,' Geary said. In a statement to C-Store Dive, an Applegreen spokesperson said that Global Partners is making a 'desperate attempt to reverse an exhaustive two-year process and an award that was made on its merits.' 'These are not the actions of a professional organization who cares about the Commonwealth and its residents, but of a business unable to accept that the multiple shortcomings in their proposal and a complete lack of successful hospitality experience in service plazas cost it a long-term contract,' Applegreen's spokesperson said. A spokesperson from MassDOT was not immediately available to comment on the lawsuit, while a representative from Blackstone Infrastructure Partners, Applegreen's parent company, did not respond by press time. Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from Applegreen. Recommended Reading Applegreen to spend $750M remodeling 18 Massachusetts travel plazas
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State ethic complaint filed against PAC linked to $140M Ponzi scheme
The Brief The Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission filed a complaint against the Georgia Republican Assembly PAC for spending over $220,000 to influence elections without registering as an independent committee, violating campaign finance laws. Edwin Brant Frost IV is accused by the SEC of running a Ponzi scheme, diverting millions for personal use, including political donations, with over $1 million of investor money reportedly used for political activities. The PAC, controlled by the Frost family, supported candidates opposing House Speaker David Ralston and engaged in undisclosed spending in local races, while the SEC's civil case against Frost IV is pending, with emergency relief measures in place. ATLANTA - Georgia's state ethics watchdog has filed a complaint against a political action committee linked to a $140 million investment fraud, alleging it illegally tried to influence elections while failing to follow campaign finance laws. Georgia Republican Assembly PAC ethics complaint What we know The complaint, filed Wednesday by the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, says the now-dissolved Georgia Republican Assembly PAC spent more than $220,000 between 2021 and 2024 to directly advocate for or against political candidates without registering as an independent committee. Such activity would violate Georgia campaign finance rules. The PAC was chaired by Edwin Brant Frost V, whose father, Edwin Brant Frost IV, is accused by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of running a Ponzi scheme through a company called First Liberty Building & Loan. Federal investigators say Frost IV raised funds from around 300 investors, promising high returns through short-term loans to businesses. Instead, the SEC alleges Frost IV used new investments to pay earlier ones and diverted millions for personal use, including over $570,000 in political donations. More than $1 million in investor money reportedly went toward political activity, strengthening the Frost family's influence in Republican politics across Georgia, Alabama, Maine and other states. Some of that spending was disclosed in public records, but the Ethics Commission says a portion was not. Claims of 'dark money' What they're saying "The ethics complaint filed today represents our initial charges against the Georgia Republican Assembly-PAC," said Ethics Commission Executive Director David Emadi. "Our investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be coming at a future date, but we intend to aggressively pursue all violations of Georgia law committed by the GRA which illegally influenced elections in 2022 and 2024." State Rep. Dale Washburn, a Macon Republican, said he was targeted by the PAC in a 2022 mailer and believes the lack of transparency is harmful. "The whole dark money thing, where you can attack a candidate with a name that really doesn't represent who is behind the attack, I think that is a problem and it should be addressed," Washburn said. Washburn added that he believed he was targeted due to his support for the late House Speaker David Ralston and a bill that would have granted in-state tuition to some undocumented immigrants. "I was kind of taken aback by those mailers when they happened and was honestly angered by them because I thought they were very deceitful and misrepresented some things," he said. Campaign disclosures show that most of the PAC's funding came from the Frost family and affiliated businesses. The PAC frequently supported Republican candidates who opposed Ralston, whom the Georgia Republican Assembly (GRA) considered a corrupt moderate. The complaint also notes undisclosed spending in school board races in Coweta County, where the Frosts reside, and in a Meriwether County commission race. Frost splits with GRA Dig deeper Although the PAC shared a name with the Georgia Republican Assembly, the two organizations were separate, according to GRA President Nathaniel Darnell. He said the PAC was authorized and promoted by the GRA but operated independently under the Frosts' control. "The entire time the PAC was in operation, the Frosts controlled it with zero oversight from the GRA organization," said Darnell, who also disclosed that he personally lost money invested in First Liberty. The Frosts fell out with the GRA following the state Republican convention earlier this year, when the group expelled Katie Frost, sister of Brant Frost V. She had chaired a nominating committee that advised against several GRA-backed candidates. Brant Frost V and his supporters resigned shortly after. First Liberty Ponzi scheme The backstory Although no criminal charges have been announced, the SEC's civil case against Frost IV is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Investigators say Frost IV misappropriated investor funds for rare coins, luxury vacations, credit card bills, and political donations. He consented to emergency relief measures including an asset freeze and expedited discovery, without admitting wrongdoing. Brant Frost V has not been named in the SEC's lawsuit, but a subpoena filed last week seeks information about his activities as an employee of First Liberty. He also incorporated a new company, Heartland Capital LLC, on June 26—one day before First Liberty declared bankruptcy. No further comment What we don't know The younger Frost promoted First Liberty on conservative talk shows and interacted directly with some investors, according to the SEC. He did not respond to messages seeking comment. A lawyer for his father also did not reply, but previously took responsibility in a statement. The Source The Associated Press and FOX News provided the details for this article. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting was also used. Additional details were sourced from the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC woman's $320K custom home stands unfinished — why her real estate agent is paying a price, too
Following years of complaints, North Carolina real estate agent Joy Cotto had her real estate license suspended for two years, reports Queen City News. Homeowners allege Cotto sold them land lots and hired her husband, Mario Cotto, to build new construction houses, but these were never completed. 'Joy is selling lots and new construction homes with her husband acting as the [general contractor], but he is not a general contractor,' said fellow real estate agent Frankie Gonzalez, Jr., in a complaint dated May 8, 2023. The state's Real Estate Commission handed down the suspension after multiple homeowners said they lost hundreds of thousands of dollars on homes that were never completed. One of the most vocal homeowners, Lisa Labelle, says she lost more than $320,000 after purchasing a lot and hiring Mario to build a house on it. Today, her dream home is just a few framed walls, some rotting wood and broken promises. Labelle, too, filed an ethics complaint with Canopy Realtor Association in Charlotte, alleging that Joy Cotto hid the fact that the company her husband owned, Distinctive Homes and Development Group, had not completed a single home before Labelle contracted it to build hers. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it What the complaints against the real estate agent allege Labelle bought a lot near Lincolnton, NC, from Joy and Mario Cotto and signed a contract for Mario to build her custom home. She wired them $158,000 to purchase the land and an existing foundation. Between that payment and when she fired Mario months later, only two partial walls were standing. The build was supposed to be complete by April 1, 2024, but Labelle says he barely started it. According to Frankie Gonzalez Jr., a broker who filed one of the first complaints, 'The new construction homes do not progress, her communication is terrible and Mario Cotto, her husband, is non-communicative.' A Queen City News 'Unfinished Business' investigation found at least two dozen additional homeowners had come forward, citing similar stories. In Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties, entire housing developments were littered with unfinished or rotting homes — all of which were connected to Joy and Mario Cotto. The Canopy Realtor Association determined that Joy Cotto violated the Realtor Code of Ethics. The organization fined her $3,000 and ordered her to complete a 4-hour ethics course within 30 days. She complied, but it wasn't enough to stop a North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) investigation. NCREC Asst. Dir. Regulatory Affairs Charlie Moody told the commission, 'The complaining witnesses allege that Cotto was aware that her husband was not completing the construction of the lots that they had purchased. But she continued to list the lots and sell them without any explanation or notification that there were issues with the construction.' Even more astonishing is that Cotto served in a similar role with her previous husband. 'So, we would present to you a case where we say that she should have known that these lots were not — these homes were not going to be built,' Moody said. In May 2025, the NCREC voted to accept Cotto's agreement to a two-year suspension of her license in exchange for the dismissal of all additional allegations. She did not admit guilt and can reapply for her license on May 21, 2027. However, Cotto must start her licensing process over, as though she was never licensed. Labelle called the outcome 'a victory,' from the perspective that no one else can become a victim but added the outcome could have gone further: 'Two years' suspension for the amount of evidence that was provided, I think it really warranted… her license being revoked and her not being able to ever sell real estate in North Carolina again,' Labelle said. Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. Here's what to do to avoid a similar situation: Verify licenses: Use your state's online license lookup tools to confirm the contractor or realtor is licensed and in good standing. Check complaints: Look for disciplinary history through state boards or associations. Read reviews and ask for references: Talk to recent clients, not just the ones they offer up. Asking friends or family for a recommendation can be a good starting point. Watch for red flags: High-pressure sales tactics, vague contracts and upfront demands for large payments are all warning signs. Get it in writing: Always insist on detailed contracts that clearly outline timelines, costs, materials and responsibilities. Include what happens if something goes over the proposed time, if possible. And ensure any updates or verbal agreements are reflected in the most recent version of the contract. How to hold a shady contractor accountable If you've paid a contractor and the work stalls or stops altogether, you do still have options: Document everything Keep a paper trail, including contracts, texts, invoices and photos of progress (or lack thereof). You'll need this proof if you file a complaint or go to court. Send a formal demand letter Before escalating legally, send a written demand asking the contractor to complete the work by a specific date within reason. This shows you gave them a chance to fix things. File a complaint with your state licensing board If the contractor is licensed, report them to the relevant authorities. In North Carolina, complaints can be filed with the Licensing Board for General Contractors. Consider small claims court If the amount is under your state's small claims limit, you can sue without hiring an attorney. This process is generally easier and more accessible for smaller claims. In North Carolina, the Small Claims Court is for disputes between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the county. Whether you're building a home or buying one, the best way to protect yourself is to do your homework before hiring a realtor or contractor. Joy Cotto's story is a reminder that credentials alone aren't always enough. Before you hand over your life savings, do your homework and trust your gut. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of 'massive unemployment' in the US due to the 'biggest change' in history — and says this 1 group of 'smart' Americans will get hit extra hard. Are you one of them? How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Solve the daily Crossword
