New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is staying quiet over when he plans to repay taxpayers $320,000 he used for private security during his failed presidential campaign.
Fox News reports:
The debt stems from de Blasio’s use of the New York Police Department for security detail on his short-lived campaign, which taxpayers covered, according to a report from the city’s Department of Investigation (DOI). De Blasio also owed hundreds of thousands to a law firm as of Nov. 10 for debts racked up from probes into his fundraising practices.
Meanwhile, the mayor is dropping money into personal home renovations as he prepares for post-mayoral life, which could include a gubernatorial run.
“Mayor de Blasio earned the reputation as one of the worst mayors in New York City history, and this is one of many reasons why,” Citizens Against Government Waste President Tom Schatz told Fox News. “Using the taxpayers’ money, not paying back money that he owed for security for his presidential campaign and simply not taking care of the city.”
De Blasio used Executive Protection Unit (EPU) members, who act as his bodyguards in the city, for protection on the campaign trail. The City reported that he had secretly asked if taxpayers could cover the bill. NYC’s Conflicts of Interest Board denied the mayor’s request.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show that de Blasio has not used his presidential campaign’s coffers to pay the bill due to a lack of funds.