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Ratner contributes $20K to Cuomo in most recent fundraising period; other contributions from Forest City

So, did developer Bruce Ratner give Gov. Andrew Cuomo's campaign account $15,000, as the Albany Times Union reported 7/15/15? (The article noted that the governor raised more than $5 million in the last fundraising period.)

Actually, though Ratner did write "a $15,000 check to the campaign April 10," as the newspaper reported, state records show he gave an additional $5,000 to the campaign in July.

Ratner's $20,000 contribution may seem large, but only a fraction of the money Cuomo raised. (Last year, Ratner and his wife gave $19,000 to Cuomo.) Still, it surely ensures some ease of access, especially given no counterweight contribution from critics of Ratner. (The governor's getting heat for some other donations, by the way.)


More campaign contributions

Ratner also contributed $5,000 to Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson.

As shown in the graphics above and below, Ratner and Forest City executive Ashley Cotton each gave $250 to Viverito New York. Given the same day contributions, it was likely a fundraising event for Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

Cotton gave $450 to the Kings County Democratic County Committee and $175 to Laurie Cumbo 2013, the account of Council Member Laurie Cumbo, who represents Atlantic Yards and is also Cotton's local representative.


Others with a Forest City connection

Forest City Ratner CEO MaryAnne Gilmartin did not match any of those contributions but did give $250 to the campaign of Queens Council Member Julissa Ferreras.

(Will Forest City be doing business in Ferraras's district, which includes Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights? Or is it that Ferraras chairs the Finance Committee? Or is there another reason?)


Though Ratner's wife Pamela Lipkin has sometimes matched her husband's contributions--including to Cuomo and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman--filings indicate only a $2,500 contribution to Stringer 2017, the campaign account of Comptroller Scott Stringer.

Maybe she has her own reasons. But it also may help Ratner maintain a friendly relationship with a rival to Mayor de Blasio without having to write a check.


Forest City itself contributed a rather modest $1,000 to the New York State Association for Affordable Housing, a trade group for housing developers.



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