New York Mayor slammed for “shameless new videos”

The New York Post’s Editorial Board is taking New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to task for videos that the Board calls “shameless” and “pushes the ethical line.”

“You might think a guy facing as many official investigations as Mayor de Blasio would show a little, uh, humility — or maybe, at least, caution,” the Post writes. “Hizzoner is instead now busy at work stepping up efforts to promote himself as he gets set for his bid for re-election next year — and all at the expense of taxpayers.”

Just hours before sending out requests for campaign donations, de Blasio’s City Hall posted a 3 ¹/₂-minute video on Twitter featuring Broadway actors offering commentary on pre-K, low crime rates, and affordable housing on de Blasio’s watch.

The Mayor has increased taxpayer spending on his digital-production team, adding three videographers to churn out high quality marketing videos that brag of his accomplishments. Even the Department of Transportation is getting its own videography unit.

“Let’s be honest: These are blatant campaign ads dressed up as “official” city-business communications that qualify for public funding. Who needs the mayor’s disgraced — and now shuttered — Campaign for One New York to promote the mayor and his agenda when he can get helpless taxpayers to foot the bill,” the editorial board asks.

The editorial board doesn’t stop there.

“Nor does de Blasio seem to care much about how his scheme looks given that CONY — the political nonprofit group he created funded by campaign donors, unions, developers and favor-seekers — is now under investigation by the FBI and US Attorney Preet Bharara,” the Post argues.

“Those campaign ads — er, informational media — may or may not be legal. But by pushing the ethical bounds and using taxpayer funds for self-promotion, he’s only inviting more well-justified criticism,” they said. “Sure, we understand he’s worried about his re-election. But the right way to address that would have been to do a better job at running the city — not pitching himself.”

You can read the full editorial at the New York Post.