Win or lose, it's all about the money

From the Observer:

The Queens attorney, trounced this month in a three-way primary for indicted State Senator Malcolm Smith’s seat, quietly funneled more than $40,000 in campaign cash to his own law firm during and after the race. The eyebrow-raising move, while legal under New York State’s porous election law, has infuriated some of his bundlers and raised new ethical questions about the first-time candidate’s purpose for even seeking elected office.

But Mr. Avery claimed he simply selected the Law Office of Munir Avery because of its “experience, dedication and commitment to affordable legal services”–even though Mr. Avery paid his firm more cash than Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave to his ace election lawyer. “The campaign hired The Law office of Munir Avery for its experience in the legal compliance consulting field. If you look at the amount every other campaign spends for these services you will find this fee to be quite affordable and in sync with the industry as a whole,” Mr. Avery said in a statement.

“The campaign looked at several service providers and determined the Law Office of Munir Avery was the best option because of their experience, dedication and commitment to affordable legal services,” he added.

Practicing elder law and estate administration, Mr. Avery has served as a counsel to Queens Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz. The failed candidate’s law office website is a Tumblr page and sources say he is the firm’s lone employee.

Remarkably, the $40,852 spent on “legal compliance” fees to himself from July until 10 days after the primary represented about half of his total campaign expenses. In that time, he managed to raise more than $80,000, keeping pace with Mr. Comrie and Mr. Smith.

One government watchdog said it wasn’t “atypical” for a candidate to send money to his own law firm or staff, but questioned the sheer amount Mr. Avery spent and his lack of disclosure about its purpose.

Malcolm Smith confident in win

From WPIX:

Despite facing retrial on federal bribery charges in January and difficulties raising campaign funds, Sen. Malcolm Smith remains optimistic about re-election.

Smith has held a seat on the State Senate for 14 years. His most formidable challenger is former city Councilman Leroy Comrie, who has the backing of the Queens Democratic Party and a number of unions, including the 120,000-member Teamsters Joint Council 16.

Some of the pundits say the race could be a toss up. The question is can the candidate under the cloud of serious felony charges overcome the stigma of a federal indictment and win re-election to the Senate. Smith believes he can.

I like the condition of the American flag outside his office...

Rush job at the Times Ledger?

It appears that someone was sloppy at the Times Ledger. If I ran the Avery campaign, I'd request a correction.

Here's the original article.

Taking trash cleanup into their own hands

Residents had been calling the borough president's office for about five weeks to complain about: over grown weeds, garbage and other disturbing elements at our famous park, 109th. & Merrick Boulevard.

Early Friday morning, 8/15/14, I observed sanitation workers at the site. They took up bags of garbage, but left the garbage that was scattered. Later in the day, I called Ms. Boranian/liaison at b/p's office, and informed her of my observation.

She told me that she will call the sanitation department and have the workers return and remove the scattered garbage. She also said that she will have the weeds removed. However, that statement did not become a reality.

So, the next day around 7:00 a.m on Saturday, members and supporters of team P/J -- Clean Up Jamaica Now, arrived at the famous park. The breeze was cool and the atmosphere was calm. The eyesore however, was still present.

Several of us, rolled up our sleeves, protected our hands with gloves and began to clean up. We had in our possession: brooms, rakes, shovels, large garbage bags and other tools.

Approximately, one hour and a half later, we completed the job. About eight bags were filled; some with the scattered garbage, others with weeds and dry leaves.

The three participants: Leroy Comrie, Malcolm Smith and Munir Avery are vying to be our next senator. They are aware of the permanent eyesore. However, only Munir Avery showed up to assist in the clean up.

*** This event was organized with the assistance of my comrade-in-arms/Joe
Moretti.

Before ---- photos were taken on Friday, 8/15/14. Sanitation workers left some of the garbage scattered on the ground. Also, the bagless garbage bin is filthy with residue. - Pamela Hazel

Smith has 2 challengers for Senate primary

From the Politicker:

State Senator Malcolm Smith, a Democrat charged last year in a sprawling bribery scheme to land himself on the GOP ballot for mayor, looks like he will now be fending off at least two challengers if he seeks re-election this year.

Mr. Smith, is already facing attorney Munir Avery and will now also contend with Clyde Vanel, a former candidate for City Council and the State Assembly.

Mr. Vanel, like Mr. Avery, appears to be viable. He recently ran for an open City Council seat last year, finishing a strong second to the eventual winner, Daneek Miller. Mr. Vanel promised a “strong showing” in fund-raising numbers set to be released next week and said he was building coalitions within the district to win.

“The numbers show I have strong support in the neighborhood,” he explained. “It differentiates me from any one else in race.”