For example, in a “Message from the President” dated Sept. 22 and printed on Glen Oaks letterhead, Friedrich states: “The good news is the race is far from over! I will be on the ballot in the Nov. 3 general election for City Council.”
Since Friedrich has been receiving matching funds from the Campaign Finance Board, accepting corporate contributions or “in-kind” donations such as cash, goods or services would be a violation of the rules. Friedman contends that using co-op resources would constitute an illegal in-kind contribution since co-ops are considered corporations under New York State law.
Friedman said he began noticing the practices two years ago but the Sept. 22 citation by Friedrich, had taken things too far.
“It just infuriated me,” Friedman said. “I’ve known Bob for a long time and I was kind of skeptical about what was going on, but that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Friedman who is the former chief-of staff for David Weprin, brother of Mark Weprin, admits he is supporting Freidrich’s competitor, but says that has no bearing on the complaint. David Weprin did not run to retain his seat, but instead ran unsuccessfully for city comptroller.
“I’m absolutely partisan,” Friedman said. “But that doesn’t make my charges any less legitimate.”
If found guilty, Friedman believes Friedrich should be fined and hopes the complaint will inform the shareholders at Glen Oaks that their president whom, he says, “preaches that he is a clean, ethical politician” is “hypocritical at best.”
Friedrich fired back saying that his actions were “perfectly appropriate,” adding that the election information in the newsletters was in response to numerous shareholder inquiries about his campaign, and aimed at encouraging people to vote by educating them about the issues rather than an attempt to gain political support for his campaign.
“They are trying to go negative and muddy the waters,” Friedrich said of Weprin and Friedman. “It’s much ado about nothing. They are trying to distract from the issues of the campaign.”
Friedrich further asserted that the co-op has taken strict measures to separate campaign finance activities from co-op activities including asking employees to refrain from wearing Friedrich campaign buttons, placing his campaign bumper stickers on co-op vehicles, volunteering for his campaign, distributing his campaign literature, engaging in politicking on the property, or making official candidate endorsements.
Friedrich also stated that he included his allegedly questionable message in his Sept. 22 campaign filing with the CFB.
Friedrich lost the Democratic primary for the District 23 City Council seat to Mark Weprin, but he still has a chance to triumph over his competitor when he runs on the Republican ticket next month. The party chose to cross endorse Friedrich because he has a “long record as a constituent-oriented civic leader who transcends party labels,” according to a statement issued by the candidate.
Although he has accepted the Republican nomination, Friedrich, a life-long Democrat, has made it clear that he has no intention of changing parties.
Weprin, who garnered 50 percent of the vote during the primary, while Friedrich obtained 27 percent, is concerned over the allegations, his campaign manager said.
“It’s a very serious charge,” the manager, Dirk McCall, said. “We have heard from a number of Glen Oaks shareholders that they are worried resources are being spent on a political campaign. We understand that a complaint has been filed. We are sure the Campaign Finance Board will investigate it.”
After a complaint has been filed, the CFB reviews it to determine if it has merit. Then a copy is sent to the defendant to give the individual a chance to respond. The response is reviewed to determine if any additional questions need to be answered or whether further investigation is required, before a decision is finally made.
“As a matter of policy, we don’t comment on complaints filed with us,” Eric Friedman, press secretary for the CFB said. “We take every complaint seriously.”
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