By: Liz Alkabetz
Political insiders are reportedly said to be alleging nepotism on the part of a former New York City councilwoman who is vying for the title of Queens borough president.
The NY Post has reported that it has been alleged that Liz Crowley’s nephew and sister have received what is being terms “special treatment.” Both are teachers in a New York City middle school.
Crowley’s sister, Patricia Crowley, came back to IS 5 the Walter Crowley School – the deceased councilman was their father — “after a higher-paying Department of Education assignment to land an easy gig supervising kids in a detention room,” insiders told The Post.
“In what one staffer called “cronyism,” Patricia’s son, Eugene Cullivan, a day-to-day substitute, was filling in for an art teacher on leave. But when that teacher returned in November, Principal Kelly Nepogoda let Cullivan keep the class full-time instead of returning it to the licensed specialist,” the Post reported.
“This is not just about favoritism. It’s about hurting students,” a veteran DOE teacher told the Post in an interview. “The art students are subjected to a substitute when an experienced, licensed teacher is available.” The veteran called it “preferential treatment” for the politically-connected duo. The Crowley sisters’ cousin is Joe Crowley, the longtime congressman and former Queens Democratic Party boss defeated in 2018 by primary challenger Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Crowley was the New York City Council member for the 30th district from 2009 to 2017, representing the neighborhoods of Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, and parts of Woodside and Woodhaven, in the borough of Queens. She was both the first woman and first Democrat to hold the seat.
Her father, Walter, was a local Democratic District Leader and City Council Member during the 1980s. Crowley’s mother, Mary, served on the local School Board 24 for a number of years. Following Walter’s death in office in 1985, Mary was tapped to finish out the remainder of his term. This made Crowley the third member of her immediate family to serve in the City Council.
Crowley is also the cousin of former U.S. Congressman Joseph Crowley, Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and Democratic Party chair in Queens county.
The Queens borough president special election is scheduled for March 24. The news site qns.com has reported that disclosures published by the New York City Campaign Finance Board showed Crowley in a strong position. “The filings singled out one clear breadwinner. Out of the $284,157 that the candidates have collectively raked in over the past six months, former Ridgewood Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley topped the field in fundraising. She also boasted the most cash on hand out of the group.”
Crowley has built a record of standing up for reforms across government to root out corruption. She spearheaded the effort to investigate the unethical practices of the then-Queens Library head Thomas Galante, who had allegedly spent over $300,000 in personal extravagances.
