Ferrer Criticizes Jets Donation to NYC2012
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The front-running Democratic mayoral contender, Fernando Ferrer, called on Mayor Bloomberg yesterday to explain a $1 million donation made to the NYC 2012 Olympic Fund by the owner of the New York Jets.
“There’s a $1 million question Mayor Bloomberg needs to answer: Why did Woody Johnson give $1 million to the Mayor’s NYC 2012 Olympic Fund, were there any promises made and are there any conflicts of interest here,” the former Bronx president said in a statement.
The mayor has agreed to a deal in which the city would contribute $300 million to construction by the Jets of the proposed New York Sports and Convention Center. Mr. Bloomberg responded to Mr. Ferrer by saying Mr. Johnson was a “great corporate citizen.”
“The money went to 2012, not to me, and nobody’s given me any money,” Mr. Bloomberg said. “I happen to be independent. I’m in a lucky position that I don’t have to ask anybody for any money and I don’t owe anybody anything.
“Everybody knows when they call our administration, they want a favor, I’d just be happy to give them the address or the name of the telephone number of the department. They can call up and get in line like everybody else.
“That’s the basis we’ve run this administration for the last three and a quarter years, and that is the basis on which it will be run for the next four-and-three-quarter years.”
