New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie spent several days last month celebrating his birthday in Rio de Janeiro, where Instagram photos show the Bronx Democrat alongside Patrick Jenkins, one of Albany’s most influential lobbyists, raising questions about who covered the cost of the trip.
The 59-year-old speaker posted pictures from the city showing him attending a Sept. 25 “Boys In Brazil Party” hosted by former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Charles Haley. Several images placed Jenkins, a longtime political ally, at his side.
Travel packages to Rio for a similar trip run from roughly $3,000 to as much as $4,299 per person, not including airfare, according to figures cited by online travel sellers.
Neither Heastie nor Jenkins has said who paid for the trip, and both declined to respond to multiple requests for comment.
Gift Limits Under State Ethics Law
New York’s ethics rules cap gifts to public officials from people or entities doing business with the state at nominal value — generally no more than $15. The New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government states on its website that officials are “generally prohibited from soliciting or accepting gifts of more than ‘nominal value’ from individuals and entities that do business with the State.”
There are exceptions, including gifts between personal friends, provided the friendship is not used “as a pretext to give an otherwise impermissible gift.”
Heastie and Jenkins have known each other for decades, having been roommates at SUNY Stony Brook. Since then, Jenkins has built a sizable lobbying practice representing clients including the New York Trial Lawyers Association, the Sports Betting Alliance and Google, even as Heastie rose to become the Assembly’s top Democrat.
“New York State’s ethics laws require both public servants and lobbyists to follow strict gift rules that limit gifts at $15 total,” said Rachael Fauss, senior policy adviser with the watchdog group Reinvent Albany. “We hope that ethics rules are being followed by both parties, particularly given the apparent cost of this trip.”
The state ethics commission, which enforces New York’s lobbying laws, did not respond to a request for comment on the trip.
This is not the first time Heastie has faced questions about ethics disclosure. He previously declined to answer questions about a romantic relationship with lobbyist Rebecca Lamorte.
