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De Blasio Cuts Contact With City's Top Lobbyist Amid Ongoing Probes

By Jeff Mays | August 31, 2016 3:40pm
 Mayor Bill de Blasio said he counts the city's top lobbyist James Capalino as a friend but has limited contact with him since a series of federal and state investigations into his fundraising practices and the sale of an AIDS nursing home launched.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said he counts the city's top lobbyist James Capalino as a friend but has limited contact with him since a series of federal and state investigations into his fundraising practices and the sale of an AIDS nursing home launched.
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Facebook/James Capalino

HIGHBRIDGE — Mayor Bill de Blasio said he counts the city's top lobbyist James Capalino as a friend but has limited contact with him since a series of federal and state investigations launched into his fundraising practices and the sale of an AIDS nursing home slated to become condos.

"I have not been in touch with Mr. Capalino. He, going into the mayoralty was someone that I respected and was a friend, someone I had talked to a lot over the years, but I do not have contact with him anymore," de Blasio said at a press conference Tuesday in The Bronx.

Capalino is a top de Blasio fundraiser and is also the city's top lobbyist. He donated to the Campaign for One New York, the mayor's former nonprofit that federal authorities are now examining to determine if donors received favors for their donations.

Capalino also lobbied de Blasio and the city to lift the deed restriction on the sale of the Rivington House AIDS nursing home on the Lower East Side.

Given the current "atmosphere" and "ongoing investigations," de Blasio said it makes sense to limit contact with Capalino and other lobbyists.

City records show that de Blasio met with Capalino three times since he took office in January 2014 to talk about Chinese tourism, the downtown Manhattan heliport and residential development.

The New York Post and NY 1 reported that emails between Capalino and the city show he began lobbying regarding the Rivington House deed restriction as soon as de Blasio took office.

Capalino also contacted de Blasio directly, something the mayor says no longer occurs."He used to," de Blasio said when asked about direct contact with Capalino.

De Blasio said all of his interactions with lobbyists were appropriate.

"I've had conversations with lobbyists, doesn't mean they're going to get what they want. We're just very clear about that. Doesn't matter if someone is a friend, doesn't matter if someone is a supporter, that does not guarantee them anything," the mayor said.

A spokesman from Capalino's firm defended their work.

“As would be expected with the largest government relations practice in New York City, our team of professionals communicates with officials at City Hall and city agencies on a daily basis —thoughtfully, responsibly and respectfully — as we advocate for our clients," James Yolles said.

"Our firm has never relied on direct interaction with any of the five mayors who have held office since the firm was founded more than 30 years ago," Yolles added.

DNAinfo previously reported that Capalino made a quarter of a million dollars lobbying for other deed restrictions to be lifted throughout the city.

Capalino and his firm also met 29 times with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and his staff, including five personal meetings Adams had with the firm.

Two of those meeting were about Airbnb which Capalino represented. Adams, contrary to many elected officials in Brooklyn, became a big supporter of Airbnb after the meetings. Airbnb also donated to Adams' nonprofit One Brooklyn Fund.