Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has reached a settlement with the city’s Conflict of Interest Board, agreeing to pay $330,000 for improperly using his security detail, as announced by the board on Wednesday.
This resolution marks the conclusion of the first enforcement action taken by the Board against a NYC Mayor, highlighting the importance of maintaining ethical standards in public office.
Improper Use of Security Detail
De Blasio admitted to disregarding the Board’s guidance by utilizing $319,794 of taxpayer funds to cover expenses related to his security detail during 31 out-of-city trips while campaigning for the presidency in 2019.
In his statement within the settlement agreement, de Blasio acknowledged his actions as conflicting with his official duties, showing accountability for the misuse of public resources.
Terms of the Settlement
As part of the settlement, de Blasio will cease any litigation against the Conflict of Interest Board and repay the full cost of the security detail expenses, along with a $10,000 fine. The former mayor has agreed to an immediate payment of $100,000, with the remaining $229,794 to be paid in installments over the next four years.
While the Conflict Board initially requested nearly $475,000, the amount was reduced considering de Blasio’s financial constraints. However, failure to adhere to the payment plan would require the former mayor to pay the full outstanding sum.
Final Remarks
Responding to inquiries, de Blasio directed to a social media post where he expressed regret over the situation and emphasized the need to move forward following the settlement.
