Former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has been fined roughly $475,000 for misusing public funds during his failed presidential campaign.
The fine is the largest ever imposed by the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board.
“Between May 2019 and September 2019, while serving as Mayor, Respondent was a candidate for President of the United States,” the board wrote in issuing the June 15 order (pdf). “During this time, Respondent had the City pay the travel expenses for an NYPD [New York Police Department] security detail to accompany Respondent or his spouse on 31 out-of-state trips in connection with his presidential campaign.”
De Blasio’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination lasted only four months before he called it quits. But in that time, he managed to rack up $319,794.20 in travel-related costs for the city, including airfare, car rentals, meals, accommodations, and other incidentals….