42.6 F
New York
Friday, March 29, 2024

Former Mayor DeBlasio’s Extended Stay at Posh Bklyn Hotel Raises Eyebrows

Related Articles

-Advertisement-

Must read

Former Mayor DeBlasio’s Extended Stay at Posh Bklyn Hotel Raises Eyebrows

By: Benyamin Davidsons

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, are living it up at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge.

As reported by the NY Post, since they left Gracie Mansion in January, the couple has been staying at the upscale hotel regularly while their home in Park Slope, Brooklyn is being renovated.  The daily rate at the hotel ranges from $600 to $5,000, which make the stays extravagant, especially considering the former mayor already owes some $2.5 million in debt.  The couple has been staying at one of the more affordable suites, which go for $600 per night, but a four-month stay at the nightly rate would still come out to about $72,000.

The hotel, which boasts 667 keys, waterfront views, an indoor pool, fitness center and two restaurants, is owned by Muss Development.  As per the Post, the Queens-based real estate giant has been a staunch supporter of de Blasio.  Records show that the company is one of the city’s top landlords, and rents office space to city agencies.  Since 2014, when de Basio became mayor of NYC, the company amassed over $239 million in city contracts.

When asked by The Post if the former mayor enjoys a drastically reduced rate, a de Blasio spokesman declined comment, and a spokeswoman for Muss Development insisted the hotel’s ownership “is not involved with specific guests’ accommodations.” The hotel management declined to comment.

Mr. De Blasio is still raking in a six-figure pension for his 20-years in public service and also makes rental income on two Brooklyn homes.  Despite this, last October, the Post reported that he and his wife owe $2.5 million, after taking out a second mortgage of $615,342 on one of their homes.  The debt also includes $300,000 in legal bills from five years ago, when he needed to hire lawyers to defend him in a probe of his fundraising activities, as well as about $200,000 owed in an old campaign account.

Critics are starting to comment on the former mayor’s lifestyle.  “He’s a hypocrite living like a 1-percenter, and it raises plenty of red flags,” said Councilman Robert Holden of Queens. “Who’s paying for this? Like most people, when I renovated my house, I did it piecemeal and lived in one room at a time. I certainly wouldn’t stay at a top-of-the-line hotel like the Brooklyn Marriott, especially if I’m in debt.”

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island), who unsuccessfully challenged de Blasio in the 2017 mayoral election, said the former mayor’s extended stay at the hotel brings up questions of a possible “quid pro quo” with Muss Development.

 

 

balance of natureDonate

Latest article

- Advertisement -