A Brooklyn lawmaker recently turned her council office into an outpost for activists with the Democratic Socialists of America, a move critics say may have violated city law.
City Councilwoman Alexa Avilés met with DSA members from southern Brooklyn at her Sunset Park district office.
The DSA, whose leading voices include Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, endorsed Avilés’ successful bid for council last year.
State Assemblywoman Marcela Mitaynes — who identifies as a democratic socialist, as does Avilés — tweeted Saturday about the meeting and included a photo with DSA members. Mitaynes attended the gathering in Aviles’ office.
“With @alexaforcouncil & members of the South Brooklyn DSA branch reimagining role Socialist electeds can play to materially improve and uplift the conditions of all working-class people in Sunset Park, Red Hook and Bay Ridge,” Mitaynes wrote.
“@sbkDSA 🌹Brooklyn – we are ready to fight for you.”
The city Conflict of Interest Board law states, “City employees may not use any City time or City resources (including a City computer, email account or phone) for any political purpose.”
A City Hall source claimed the meeting violated the law.
“It would be like running your re-election campaign from your government office. You can’t do that,” the source said. “Ethics rules say you need to keep politics and government separate.”
Avilés issued a statement dismissing the assertion. She insisted that she and the group discussed policy issues, not campaigning.
“I take the City’s conflicts rules very seriously and would never conduct electoral campaign activities from my district office,” Avilés wrote.
“A meeting of local residents who are of like-mind or adherents to a political philosophy is not a violation of Chapter 68. Nor is it a violation if such meetings concern organizing around central issues, policies and services for the community.”
