A members-only social membership in Manhattan co-owned by distinguished political donors to Mayor Adams was chosen to host a metropolis authorities occasion this month the place the mayor delivered remarks about making New York the world’s “most business-friendly” metropolis, the Each day Information has realized.
The occasion, an annual procurement honest held by Adams’ Small Enterprise Companies Division, happened Nov. 4 at Casa Cipriani, a membership the mayor and several other of his prime advisers have been identified to patronize. Adams has additionally hosted marketing campaign fundraisers on the membership, which is housed within the Battery Maritime Constructing overlooking the Statue of Liberty.
A Small Enterprise Companies spokeswoman mentioned her company paid Casa Cipriani $31,883 for the honest. Most of that sum — $20,927 — coated technical help the membership supplied, together with safety, whereas the remaining — $10,956 — coated drinks and pastries, she mentioned. The tab is about $9,000 increased than earlier SBS procurement festivals.
The annual honest was held at Brooklyn’s Barclays Heart in 2022 and 2023, and SBS paid that venue about $22,000 for every occasion, the company rep mentioned. The rep mentioned the Barclays tabs have been decrease as a result of that venue didn’t cost for technical help. This month’s honest marked the primary time SBS has held an occasion at Casa Cipriani.
There aren’t any guidelines proscribing metropolis companies from holding occasions at venues owned by the mayor’s political supporters. However John Kaehny, government director of the Reinvent Albany authorities watchdog group, mentioned Adams’ administration must be extra aware of appearances given the mayor’s bribery indictment and several other separate corruption investigations into members of his interior circle.
“The city should seek to avoid using venues owned by big contributors because it undermines public trust in government,” he mentioned. “That’s especially important right now, when the mayor is under so much scrutiny.”
Casa Cipriani (Shutterstock)
The SBS spokeswoman confirmed there was no aggressive bidding earlier than her company picked Casa Cipriani. She didn’t say who made the decision to throw this yr’s honest at Casa Cipriani, however advised The Information the venue was chosen “based on the size, location, incidental costs and availability.”
Casa Cipriani didn’t reply to emailed questions.
Casa Cipriani is co-owned by Midtown Equities, one of many metropolis’s largest actual property companies, which is operated by the politically highly effective Cayre household.
The Cayres have a observe report of donating to Adams’ political and authorized initiatives.
In December 2023, Michael Cayre, who helps run Midtown Equities and is the son of agency founder Joseph Cayre, gave $5,000, the authorized max, to Adams’ authorized protection belief, which he launched to cowl lawyer charges he racks up within the corruption case during which he has pleaded not responsible.
Casa Cipriani (Google Maps)
Additionally in December, Trina and Sarah Cayre, wives of Joseph Cayre and his brother Jack Cayre, every gave Adams’ belief $5,000 — however the fund returned these contributions after information outlet Hell Gate reported they have been legally barred from donating to it as their husbands are within the metropolis’s Doing Enterprise database of their capacities as Midtown Equities executives. Although Michael Cayre helps run Midtown Equities, he’s not listed within the database, permitting him to offer to the belief.
The Cayres — together with Michael, Joseph, Jack and their wives — have given one other $16,920 to Adams’ 2021 and 2025 campaigns, contributions that unlocked at the very least an extra $13,400 in public matching funds, information present.
On the occasion, Adams — whose indictment alleges he took bribes from Turkish authorities operatives and others in change for political favors — advised enterprise homeowners in attendance they shouldn’t “believe the bullshit” being reported about him as a result of he’s “kicking ass and people need to recognize what we are doing.”
Pivoting to monetary points, he mentioned his administration is concentrated on producing personal enterprise within the metropolis, together with in the true property sector.
“This needs to become the most business-friendly city and state on the globe — that’s the goal,” he mentioned.
