Council Candidate Dan Halloran joined members of the New York City Sanitation Department at Memorial Field on Saturday at their Annual Softball Tournament and Barbeque. The day’s events included the softball tournament itself, and DJ/Karaoke, and several local bands. DJ “Jimmy James” emceed the event as New York’s Strongest took to the field and enjoyed a day of softball and music.
City Council Candidate Dan Halloran a former law enforcement official and prosecutor as well as accomplished trial lawyer in a move that is sure to unnerve incumbent City Council Members throughout the City called for expanding the Federal investigation of corrupt City Council Members caught embezzling taxpayer funds in the so-called “Slush Fund” scandal that reach as high as the Speaker’s office.
It was reported yesterday that authorities continue to investigate the spending of about a dozen city members to see if they are guilty of absconding with tax payer funds like former City Councilman Miguel Martinez, who admitted stealing from taxpayers yesterday. With over a dozen public officials under investigation in a Chamber with only 51 members it is extremely alarming that perhaps 20% of the Council is under suspicion. With Council staff and others reportedly steering clear of suspected members for fear of being caught up in the scandal or caught on tape, this truly outrageous chapter in New York City’s history is only likely to grow. Such a scandal smacks of Tammany Hall and the voters of the City must insist on real change and real accountability.
City Council Candidate Dan Halloran stated “How can the hard working taxpayers of Queens, seniors on a fixed income and families struggling to make ends meet have any kind of comfort level that public funds are being wisely or even legally spent with this kind of record? This never could have happened if there were tighter controls in place. It also could not have happened but for out of control partisanship that rewards party loyalty and legislative bossism over independence and constituent services. I would wager even incumbent Council Member Tony Avella would agree with me on this.”
Mayor Bloomberg said he was as “shocked as anybody else” by the ever widening City Council sweeping investigation. Halloran, echoing the sentiment went on to say, “It is high time we elect new independent fiscally responsible Council members who can restore public confidence in our local government and safeguard taxpayers from this kind of blatant theft. In a time where folks are out of work and elected officials keep raising taxes instead of prioritizing spending and accountability it is exceedingly important we can trust that they do not have their hands in the cookie jar. We need a comprehensive audit and financial controls to ensure there is no opportunity for this kind of scandal to be replicated. We need to ensure that taxpayer monies are always properly accounted for and we need to make sure member items are not being funneled to groups that are shams or are otherwise compromised. We deserve good government we can trust in.”
Dan Halloran was endorsed by the Conservative Party because of his law enforcement background and commitment to fiscal responsibility and by Independence because of his non-partisan commitment to reform. A lifelong Republican and resident of the district, Halloran has garnered the support of a wide range of groups, including even the Libertarians. His commitment to integrity in government is a central focus of his council platform.