In September 2013, Jon Kaiman resigned as North Hempstead Supervisor and accepted two appointments from Governor Cuomo. They were Chairman of the Board of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority and Special Adviser to Governor Cuomo on Long Island Superstorm Sandy Relief, a post that pays $153 thousand annually.

After Mr. Kaiman took up his new positions, his campaign committee, “Friends of Jon Kaiman,” lumbered on and made required filings with the N.Y. Board of Elections.

According to Board of Election filings, since Kaiman went to work as a state employee he continued to fundraise and there were numerous disbursements from “Friends of Kaiman” including (but not limited to):

1-18-14     Costco                                                        $548.12
1-19-14     Westbury Liquors                                   $394.08
1-19-14     Waldbaum’s                                              $199.99
10-1-15     Costco                                                   $1,500.00
10-5-15     Westbury Liquors                                  $238.80
10-8-15     Mineola Card & Smoke Shop              $383.41
10-13-15   Party City                                               $313.39
10-15-15   Great Neck Wine                                    $148.71
10-16-15   Great Neck Wine                                    $169.36
10-19-15   Westbury Liquors                                  $385.40
10-19-15   Triple Crown Sports Memorabilia   $1,000.00
10-20-15   P. Schneider Design Consultants     $2,305.00
10-26-15   Associated Supermarkets                   $108.99
10-26-15   Westbury Liquors                                 $164.97
10-26-15   Costco                                                       $574.59
10-27-15   Associated Supermarkets                 $181.72
10-29-15   Colbeh Restaurant                               $626.00
12-21-15   Costco                                                       $845.50

“Friends of Kaiman” disclosed in Board of Election filings that these expenditures were for “fundraising” purposes.

Questions:

Mr. Kaiman: Did you alert your employer, Governor Cuomo, or any of his staff members, “Friends of Kaiman” were holding political fundraisers?

Mr. Kaiman: Since you were not a declared candidate for office in 2014 or 2015, what was the purpose of the fundraisers? Was your mentor and friend, Gerard Terry, a guest?

Mr. Kaiman: How much money was raised at the fundraisers? If none, (as it appears) were the alleged fundraisers merely parties paid for by “Friends of Kaiman”? Where were the fundraisers or parties held? Were they held in your home?

Mr. Kaiman: Were purchases made by you for the fundraisers made during state government working hours? (Fifteen of these purchases were made on work days.)

Mr. Kaiman: Did you comply with Governor Cuomo’s executive order concerning political activity restrictions of state employees?

Mr. Kaiman: If your salary as Special Advisor on Long Island Superstorm Sandy Relief is funded in whole or part by Federal dollars, you are subject to Hatch Act rules which prohibit certain political activities. If you are covered, did you comply with Hatch Act rules and regulations concerning political activity?

This installment of The Jon Kaiman for Congress Watch has focused principally on the food and beverage expenditures of the campaign committee (as well as one payment to a concern which generally sells signs and bumper stickers). A thorough review of “Friends of Kaiman” expenses is being performed.

Stay tuned….

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