Gov. Kathy Hochul and other top New York Democrats are accused of turning a luxury suite at Buffalo Bills Stadium into a private party room during last year’s marquee game, The Post has learned.
According to the complaint, Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Majority Leader Crystal People Stokes took over the VIP luxury suite for the Dec. 17, 2023, game against the Dallas Cowboys — Guest The list also included Mr Heastie, a lobbyist with whom she had a romantic relationship. It was filed with the state’s ethics watchdog.
“It is clear that public officials secured the benefit of the use of the boxes and tickets for private gain and/or non-governmental purposes,” attorney David Grandeau said in a March 28 letter to New York state. Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government.
“They clearly abused their power to give themselves and their associated lobbyists valuable resources unavailable to ordinary New Yorkers and taxpayers,” said Grandeau, who previously served as the state’s chief regulator of the lobbying industry. It has created benefits,” he added.
Also in the suite at Highmark Stadium were Mr Heastie’s alleged girlfriend Rebecca LaMorte, university friend and lobbyist Patrick Jenkins, and Jenkins’ wife Dawn Cotter Jenkins.
Mr. LaMorte was listed in state reports as “self-employed” rather than a lobbyist, but that is simply It was later revealed New York notes that she was dating Heastie.
Hochul’s husband, William Hochul, a former top administrator at Buffalo Bills stakeholder Delaware North, also owns the state’s cozy “I Love New York,” managed by the Empire State Development Corporation. I was sitting in a suite as a guest of the governor.
The Economic Development Authority reports to the Governor.
Hochul, a Buffalo native, is a die-hard Bills fan, while Heastie, from the Bronx, and Jenkins, from Queens, are Dallas Cowboys fans.
Hochul suggested in a statement on X that Heastie’s presence in the stadium suite had more to do with their match. Bills and Cowboys rivalry More than any official job.
“As Buffalonians, @CPeoplesStokes and I both believe in tolerance for those with opposing views…and that’s why we decided to allow a @dallascowboys fan to attend a @BuffaloBills game ” Hochul said of Heastie wearing a Cowboys jacket. And a cap.
“Sorry about the score, @CarlHeastie! Let’s go, Buffalo!” the governor yelled during the Bills’ 31-10 victory.
The state’s Commission on Ethics and Lobbying acknowledged the charges against Mr. Grandeau.
“Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention,” the commission’s research division said.
The 16-seat VIP suite is operated by ESD with the purpose of stimulating or promoting New York’s economy.
As The Post previously reported, President Biden’s aide Tom Perez was sitting in his state suite during the Jan. 21 playoff game between the Bills and the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
of Report submitted by Regarding suite attendance during Bills games last season, ESD said Hochules, Heastie, LaMorte, Jenkins and others made charitable donations equal to the value of the seats in the 16-seat suite.
But Grandeau argued that the fact that they all made charitable donations was proof that they were participating in the match for personal gain rather than in an official capacity.
Grandue also told the Post, “What was lobbyist Patrick Jenkins doing in the suite?” How did he gain access?
“This is a simple case. You can’t use the government’s position to watch your favorite team in a luxury box. That’s wrong. Enough is enough,” he said.
Hochul’s office claimed that he did everything by the book.
“In accordance with the guidelines governing the ESD Suite, Governor Hochul met with members of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and Western New York leaders at the Bills game to discuss regional infrastructure and economic growth. The Governor will cover the cost of tickets. “We followed all state guidelines for the use of this space, including paying $531 in personal funds for the project,” said Hochul spokeswoman Avi Small.
The Bills determined the value of the Bills game ticket to be $177.00, and Mr. Hochul donated $531.00 to FeedMore WNY.
Amherst Business Group CEO AJ Baines said Hochul’s presence in the suite “led to very productive discussions about infrastructure that is critical to the future of the town of Amherst.” said.
Mr. Heastie’s office declined a request for comment.
Mr. Heastie’s office requested the use of the suite, which ESD “respected as a courtesy,” said ESD spokesman Matthew Gorton.
“All guests were informed of the rules regarding lobbyist attendance and public reporting requirements prior to the game,” the spokesperson added.
Hochul said he paid $531 for his ticket, but the Buffalo Bills’ luxury suites cost $9,000 for regular-season home games, depending on the opponent, schedule and suite, according to Suite Experience Group. It could fetch up to $30,000.
Grandeau mocked the low value of tickets to the state’s “I Love NY” suite.
Former Gov. David Paterson paid a $62,150 fine in 2011 to resolve an ethics investigation that accused him of using his position to get Yankees tickets.
