NYC Councilman Joins Socialist Billionaire Club
New York City Councilman Alexa Aviles has recently been associated with a prominent group known as the Gotham Socialist Billionaire club.
This collective, linked to the American democratic socialist movement and a key support network for mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, has reported asset values between $1.1 million and $1.8 million in her latest financial disclosure.
As stated in a filing to the NYC profit committee, it appears that Aviles and her husband are somewhat uncertain about their private property, which includes approximately $590,000 in main Greenwood Heights properties in Brooklyn.
The couple, making their foray into real estate in Florida, purchased their first condo in 2012 during a foreclosure sale for just $79,000. This was a time that saw millions of Americans, like a 65-year-old woman named Danelia Fuste, lose their homes.
In April 2021, they added a larger three-bedroom, two-bath condo in a gated Orlando community, complete with amenities like a pool and fitness center.
In a recent interview, Aviles commented on the housing situation, suggesting that “the homes should be disassembled,” while noting the couple’s ownership of two out-of-state apartments for family use.
However, just two days prior to that interview, real estate data indicated that their Orlando condo, acquired during the housing crash, was listed for rent at $2,200, quickly dropping to $1,900 a few days later.
A local Sunset Park resident, who wished to stay anonymous, expressed concerns, stating, “This raises questions about her motivations. She advocates for housing rights while participating in practices contrary to those principles. It feels like a fundamental betrayal of her stated beliefs.”
Aviles clarified that a family member had been living in one of their Florida homes, which was now listed for rent due to relocation.
A spokesperson highlighted that council members, including Aviles, support affordable housing as a human right, aiming to ensure accountability for negligent landlords.
Since her election in 2021, Aviles has represented areas like Red Hook and Sunset Park, succeeding Carlos Menchaca with support from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
During her first year in office, she utilized her position to host DSA meetings and has also promoted her husband on her campaign page. Yet, he has not been employed at Brooklyn Union Gas since selling his role two years ago.
Previously, he expressed aspirations in real estate, but the couple maintains that his license is not their current income source.
Before entering politics, Aviles worked as a program director at the Sherman Foundation, earning $215,387 annually while managing a substantial portfolio for progressive organizations.
Aviles has been notably active in Mamdani’s campaign, emphasizing her commitment to catalyzing change in New York’s leadership.
At a rally, she expressed her determination: “We need a new mayor to combat corruption and represent working-class interests,” highlighting concerns that affluent interests dominate local politics.
This sentiment echoes with other left-leaning politicians recently scrutinized for their wealth, including Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar.
Pressley reported assets ranging from $2.5 to $8 million, while Omar faced accusations about her financial disclosures, which varied between $6 million and $30 million.
Interestingly, Mamdani himself reported having only $2,000 in the bank, despite his family’s financial background and sharing six-figure earnings with his partner.
