News

Attention Remains on City Council Finances

A federal criminal probe into the City Council's bookkeeping practices has brought heightened scrutiny to council members and the non-profits they fund.

by Bob Hennelly

NEW YORK, NY April 29, 2008 —There was little fanfare last year when City Council Speaker Christine Quinn mandated for the first time that council members fill out a 3-page "Conflict of Interest" disclosure form about pet projects.

The 3-page internal form, obtained by WNYC, required members describe in detail the involvement of themselves or family members in the non-profits the members wanted funded.

The questionnaire also required council members vouch for the non-profits' track record for the last 5 years.

Under the City Charter, council members - unlike other city employees - can advance a funding request despite a potential conflict of interest, as long as it's publicly disclosed.

But, since the indictment earlier this month of 2 former council staffers for allegedly embezzling from a council funded non-profit, any council member ties to such groups are now prompting fresh questions.

For WNYC, I'm Bob Hennelly.