NY Governor Kathy Hochul Under Fire For Using Buffalo Bills Luxury Suite To Host Lobbyists: REPORT
Forget abusing the "company card"; New York Dems are rollicking on the American taxpayer's dime.
Several top NY Democrats, including Governor Kathy Hochul and the philandering Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, are facing sharp criticism after reportedly turning a Buffalo Bills luxury suite (controlled by the Empire State Development Corp) into their personal meeting space, calling it a "day's worth of work," when they actually used their political privilege to host a party.
Talk about living the ‘suite’ life.
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2023/01/15: Governor Kathy Hochul delivers remarks at Primitive Christian Church. Governor talked about Martin Luther King Jr legacy, leading to his birthday and promoted her choice for top judge of Appellate Court of New York State Hector LaSalle. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
According to a report by the New York Post, Hochul, Heastie, his lobbyist girlfriend (we'll get to her in a second), and more, were named in a complaint calling them out for hosting a suite at Highmark Stadium during a Dec. 2023 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys to fluff up their political power. The Post added that fellow lobbyist Patrick Jenkins also attended the party at Highmark, along with Jenkins’ wife.
The discovery questioned the ethics of Hochul's gathering.
Heastie surely needed the game as a reward for his hard work … which includes refusing to bump up penalties against looters in the city — introducing an "open season" of crime across New York retail stores.
Hochul is in the same boat as Heastie, disliked by New Yorkers for her soft stance on crime and doing nearly as bad a job of running the state as ex-gov Andrew Cuomo.
When asked about a governor hanging out so casually with Heastie, his disputed lover and others, Hochul posted on X that the meeting was not a ploy to strengthen her rapport with the assemblyman; rather, that Hestie attended the game because he's a Dallas fan.
Like any modern Dem, Hochul doesn't blush after telling a lie. Or abusing her power.
In a statement to the post, spokesperson Avi Small explained the governor's bash with the lobbyists, trying to cover up the blatant power play.
"Following the guidelines governing the ESD suite, Governor Hochul gathered with members of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and Western New York leaders at the Bills game where they discussed the region’s infrastructure and economic growth. The Governor followed all State guidelines regarding usage of this space, including using personal funds to pay $531.00 to cover the cost of tickets," said Hochul spokesman Avi Small.
Speaking of untrustworthy sources, Carl Heastie faced major pressure about his reported romance with 32-year-old lobbyist, Rebecca Lamorte. While some can see the blatant conflict of interest in the relationship, Heastie disregarded the associated scandal.
Reporters pressed Heastie about dating a lobbyist. He responded by maintaining ‘privacy’ and stating that his personal life would never clash with his work as a politician. Whether he's aware or not, Heastie's been honeypotted.
And whether New Yorkers know it or not, they're being screwed by Hochul.
Kathy Hochul
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