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Queens Pol Accused Of Paying Backers With Campaign Money

2010_2_robertmeeks.jpg Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) can't seem to catch a break. Already under scrutiny for his ties to a nonprofit under federal investigation for its role in a controversial plan to bring slot machines to the Aqueduct Race Track and accused of scamming Hurricane Katrina victims, Meeks is taking fire for using campaign cash to pay longtime supporters.

According to the Post, Meeks issued $27,000 in campaign funds to a company established by his treasurer. The campaign committees Friends for Gregory Meeks and Meeks for Congress gave the cash to EINNA Inc. for "administrative consulting services," according to federal filings. Documents reveal that EINNA Inc. is registered to Patsy Simmons, who holds an often unpaid post as Meeks' campaign treasurer. Further investigation reveals that her husband, Queens district leader Robert Simmons, has been on Meeks' payroll for years earning about $80,000 annually.

Sources tell the tabloid Meeks uses the campaign donations and legislative salaries to reward longtime supports—a move that isn't necessarily illegal, though is frowned upon by good government groups. Meeks, whose campaign was fined $63,000 in 2008 for misusing federal fund, declined to talk to reporters about the money.

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Comments [rss]

  • Spirit of 76

    Good grief. This makes what, the fourth or fifth "crooked politician" story on Gothamist just today? I'm getting a little burned out. It seems Diogenes would be as frustrated today as he was in his time.

  • justthinkin

    The Meeks shall inherit the Earth....and then pay off his supporters.

  • Mr Mel

    Are you asking me to believe that a NYC Democrat Pol is not honest? Shame on you and the rest of your followers involved .

  • ides_of_march

    And Obama pays off his political supporters (unions, ACORN etc) with tax dollars, he just calls it "stimulus."

  • jaycjay

    "a move that isn't necessarily illegal"

    What does that even mean?

    The fact: it is legal. It's that simple, regardless of what The Post -- and Gothamist -- want to imply. But then, at least The Post did state in their article that what he's being "accused" of is legal.

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