Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club Urges NYC Council to Reject Randy Mastro
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allen Roskoff, (917) 553-7180, aroskoff@mac.com
NEW YORK- The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club condemns the nomination of Randy Mastro by Mayor Eric Adams to serve as New York City’s top lawyer and urges the New York City Council to reject this nominee.
The New York Times describes Mastro as “a former federal prosecutor who has represented former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey in the investigation of the George Washington Bridge lane closings; the State of New Jersey in a lawsuit against the federal government over congestion pricing; and the energy company Chevron over pollution in the Ecuadorean rain forest.” Politico highlights “Mastro’s time representing a group opposed to homeless men staying at an Upper West Side hotel. As part of that case, Mastro hired private detectives who posed as plumbers and photographed a homeless individual shirtless in his unit.”
An unpersuasive argument in support of Randy Mastro comes from a Gay City News op-ed that highlights Mastro’s work in support of marriage equality. We’ve watched plenty of politicians support marriage equality with one hand while, with the other, stripping rights and dignity from broad swaths of disenfranchised people, including the homeless, Black and Brown people, financially poor, and others. It’s insulting to support someone based on one issue alone. Who’s next? Shall we next embrace Robert Mercer or Roger Stone, both of who support same-sex marriage?
The New York City Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus released a statement that reads, in part, “Even beyond Mr. Mastro’s troubling history of representing clients that directly contradict the values and principles we uphold as a City Council committed to equality, justice, and inclusivity, his dirty, underhanded tactics disqualify him from a position which calls for someone of the utmost honor and integrity.”
We also echo the Council’s Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, which writes that New Yorkers deserve “better than someone who has fought for the interests of top earners, abusive corporations, and vindictive politicians.”
We find it ironic that Mayor Adams hails Randy Maestro for his “pro-marriage” advocacy when the mayor is known for hiring vocal homophobes and excuses the Pope for insulting our community.
JOLDC President Allen Roskoff said in a statement, “Once again, Mayor Adams is trying to install an amoral crony to do his own bidding at the expense of New Yorkers. We trust a broad coalition of Council members will do the right thing under the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Adams and send Mastro packing.”
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