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| NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo rejects campaign $$$ from controversial Detroit wheeler-dealer Michael Malik |
New information available via Transparency Data a project of the Sunlight Foundation, indicates that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has joined the ranks of New York politicians refusing to accept campaign gifts from controversial Detroit casino syndicator Michael Malik.
On October 18, 2010, Governor Cuomo’s campaign committee returned a $10,000 check that Malik had attempted to funnel to the campaign via the Democratic Committee of New York State on September 28, 2010.
Cuomo joins the growing ranks of New York politicians who have returned or otherwise rejected campaign contributions from Malik during the last year. They included:
- Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein
- Senator Craig M. Johnson (ret.)
- Senator Jeffrey D. Klein
During the 2010 election, voters and the media turned up the heat questioning the motivations of US Rep. Tim Bishop and called upon him to also reject Malik’s bankroll.
To quiet things down, Bishop indicated he would consider and then might return Malik’s money. He didn’t!
In fact, on March 31, 2011, Rep. Bishop banked another $2,500 from his pal Malik. Bishop has also publicly endorsed Malik’s schemes to use the Shinnecock Indians to establish casinos Malik will run nearest to the New York City/Manhattan marketplace.
Malik a Detroit-area native, can not get a gaming license in Michigan. Since 1999, despite several attempts, Malik has failed to get a license from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). His schemes for New York won't require him to get a gaming license from the State.
When you look historically into the campaign finance violations, questionable ethics and circumstances that Malik got tangled up in with pals like former Reps. Don Young and Richard Pombo (fundraising, lobbying, travel & other gifts), one can only consider what else Malik’s up to with “support” for Rep. Bishop or even worse, a character like Rep. Charlie Rangel. It should be noted that Young and Pombo failed to win re-election after getting in bed with Malik.
U.S. Rep Carolyn McCarthy has also accepted Malik’s money. This last week, NewsDay reported she too was publicly endorsing Malik’s schemes to use the Shinnecock Indian Nation as a way for him to develop and run a gambling complex at Belmont Park on Long Island.
Malik and fellow Detroiter Marian Ilitch (Mrs. Mike Ilitch: Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, Little Caesars pizza) are business partners. He shares office space alongside hers in the executive suites at Ilitch Holdings, Inc. But, he's not an Ilitch "employee." If he was, his tactics -- sometimes illegal, and often borderline unethical behavior -- would become an issue for the Family's businesses. Think of Malik as the black hat, bag man, to Marian's white hat.
Malik and fellow Detroiter Marian Ilitch (Mrs. Mike Ilitch: Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, Little Caesars pizza) are business partners. He shares office space alongside hers in the executive suites at Ilitch Holdings, Inc. But, he's not an Ilitch "employee." If he was, his tactics -- sometimes illegal, and often borderline unethical behavior -- would become an issue for the Family's businesses. Think of Malik as the black hat, bag man, to Marian's white hat.
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