Weprin: Blame the O.M.B.
After rallying against congestion pricing on the City Hall steps this weekend, City Council Finance Chair David Weprin fielded some questions about how nonexistent groups were slated to get thousands of dollars from the council.
It's an issue that could, potentially, derail not only Quinn's mayoral ambitions, which are partly built on her record of reform, but also Weprin's comptroller ambitions, since it's built on his experience as chair of the finance committee. Weprin told me the problem should have been detected on the mayor's side of city government.
"O.M.B. [the mayor's Office of Management and Budget] is very much involved in the process," Weprin said. "Their staff is five, six-times [larger] than what the finance staff is. So, this could have been picked up by any number of individuals that look at the details of the budget.
"I look at the big picture," he continued. "It’s a $59 billion budget. I can’t possibly claim to go through, item by item, every group that’s listed and whether they’re a legitimate group or not. How am I supposed to know that?”
Weprin also, when I asked, dismissed the idea that the practice was criminal, and said he doesn't think it’ll be much of an issue in the 2009 comptroller’s race.
We’ll see.
(Tech note: this video is also evidence that I'm not trained to be a professional cameraman, in case there was any doubt.)
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.4
- 41.6
- Obama +4.8
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.7
- 32.7
- +23.0
- McCain
- 52.4
- 34.7
- +17.7
This guy is such a joke, if he spent time on his job and less time attending events, then maybe it would have been done right.
Weprin is the Chair of the finance committee...it is unacceptable to say, "er uh its so big how can we keep track of everything." He is unfit to be a councilman let alone comptroller.
This is a candidate for comptroller??? He is touting his background as chair of a committee that committed fraud and created fake organizations to hide money from the taxpayers. DOI should start an investigation and he should be forced to resign his post.
I am not sure what makes me laugh more, his comments or his bad wig. Its jhis job to know where every penny is being spent.
This kind of stuff should be broadcast on every news channel in the city. The message we send as a people of this city is just disgusting... if you come out of the closet or solicit and escort/pros you are headline news. Defraud taxpayers and arrogantly proclaim it won't even be an issue during a future election... lucky if it makes a blog spot.
Gotta love it.
If anybody should be held accountable for this fraud its WEPRIN... he runs around the city telling everybody that he is chair of this prestigous committee and then when it hits the fan all of sudden he is hiding and saying, duh, how should i know whats going on.
Er eh, I am outraged that I will not be able to misuse my position as the Finance Chair anymore, this is an outrage and I am very much outraged". Now please take your pictures.
What a fraud !!!!
Weprin was caught RED-HANDED and is trying to get out of it by blaimng OMB. PLEASE - This is the clown who calls up EVERY organization in the budget to take credit for getting them the fundin - all of a sudden, he's declining the credit for funding fake organizations !!!
Weprin, do NYC a favor and RESIGN !!!!
Azi you should have been harder on him. The responsibily is his to ensure that the budget process is open. This proves that he is not qualified to be the city's chief money watchdog.
The reason there is transparancy in the budget is because of the Speaker. The fake organizations were created by Weprin to hide money for his district. He has been doing this for years even before Quinn was the Speakr.
Weprinisms:
Duh, how am I supposed to know what the budget says ?
Um, Its OMB's fault (to staffer: - what's OMB ?)
Uh, its the mayor's fault cause he lets me act as the finance chair while realizing that I don't have a brain.
Scapegoating staff is not acceptable. They simply failed to do their job or were not capable of it. Whatever, Quinn, Thompson, Weprin, and every elected official responsible for dealing with Council budget and finances should retire from government. Forget about running for higher office, these people are not fit for public service.
You guys are too harsh on Weprin. He had no idea that this was happening. This was strictly a Speakers slush fund.
Thats the problem...HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON... He should be forced to resign his post, and to think I was going to support his candidacy. He really has turned out to be just like every other politician. A fraud, theif and liar.
Bur really, Weprin is chair of a legisltive committee, albeit the one that passes the budget. Quinn and her inner circle has held him at arms length from finance and budget details since day one. This was the Speaker's slush fund, simple as that. I don't think any member other than the Speaker will be found to have benefited.