A Brooklyn assemblywoman and her campaign are maintaining a cozy relationship with a Coney Island nonprofit group she once headed — raising red flags for a good-government watchdog.
Pamela Harris stepped down as executive director of Coney Island Generation Gap, which funds youth programs, after winning a special election in November to fill a vacant Assembly seat.
But the group continues to list Harris’ home as its base of operations while claiming in IRS filings that it spent $26,000 in government subsidies on “occupancy, rent, utilities and maintenance.”
Records also show the nonprofit’s staff have been actively involved in boosting Harris’ re-election bid.
Rocco Brescia, who replaced Harris as executive director, donated $250 to his longtime friend’s campaign. He was reimbursed $4,383 by Harris’ campaign, including $480 for providing “lodging” at his Coney Island home for two out-of-state poll workers who helped Harris.
Harris’ campaign has also paid the group’s youth coordinator, Makeisha Rampersant, $442 for political work — plus $302 each to two of Rampersant’s relatives.
Dick Dadey of Citizens Union says the relationship between Harris and the organization raises questions about potential ethical breaches.
“The fact that the nonprofit still uses her home is a red flag,” he said. “There’s too much overlap, too much close association between the assemblywoman and the nonprofit to be sure payments and expenditures are being made on the merits and not on personal relationships.”
Last weekend, the nonprofit co-hosted a “Safe Summer Block Party” on Harris’ block. Photos on social media show the event featured campaign posters for Harris, with political operatives collecting signatures to help get various candidates on the ballot.
The IRS prohibits nonprofit organizations “from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign.”
Harris didn’t return calls and her spokesperson declined to comment.
But Brescia insisted “she has absolutely no role anymore” at the nonprofit and that the block party was also funded by other elected officials. He added that the group doesn’t pay rent for its space at Harris’ home, only for additional studio space nearby.