Post by Logan on Feb 7, 2016 22:33:09 GMT -6
A couple who run a small urban farm said powerful Queens lawmaker James Sanders offered them $1.7 million in taxpayer money to fund their operation — then demanded a $250,000 kickback.
Marion Moses and Malisa Rivera said they refused Sanders, then a city councilman, during a 2012 sit-down. Sanders, now a state senator running for Congress, became irate, and the couple believe their charity has been blacklisted by government officials ever since, they told The Post.
Three weeks ago, Moses filed a civilian crime report with the office of Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara. Sources said the feds were already investigating Sanders for steering City Council discretionary funds to other nonprofits.
Mike Duvalle, a former Sanders staffer, told The Post that he met with the FBI last month in connection with that probe.
Read more: nypost.com/2016/02/07/politician-demanded-250k-bribe-for-funding-nonprofit-suit/
Marion Moses and Malisa Rivera said they refused Sanders, then a city councilman, during a 2012 sit-down. Sanders, now a state senator running for Congress, became irate, and the couple believe their charity has been blacklisted by government officials ever since, they told The Post.
Three weeks ago, Moses filed a civilian crime report with the office of Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara. Sources said the feds were already investigating Sanders for steering City Council discretionary funds to other nonprofits.
Mike Duvalle, a former Sanders staffer, told The Post that he met with the FBI last month in connection with that probe.
Read more: nypost.com/2016/02/07/politician-demanded-250k-bribe-for-funding-nonprofit-suit/