Bought and Paid For: Kamillah Hanks’ Donor List Reads Like a Rap Sheet
Big developers and political insiders keep Hanks' NYC Council campaign afloat while Staten Island suffers.
NOTE: This piece was first published at NYNewsPress.com.
By Rick LaRivière
It's a NYC election year, and Staten Island Council Member Kamillah Hanks' recently released campaign finance records reveal a web of political intrigue, big-money developers, and scandal-plagued influencers.
Here are the five key groups behind Hanks' fundraising—and the controversies that come with them.
1. Developers and Their Lawyers: A Cozy Relationship
Hanks' campaign is awash with cash from real estate moguls and their legal teams. Notable contributors include Michael Savo of MSB Development Corp and Randy Franza of Wallace Ave Builders, each donating a maximum of $1,000. The Savo family has long faced allegations of shady zoning practices and community opposition to their projects.
Lawyers like Domenic Recchia, a lobbyist, have put their financial weight behind Hanks. Recchia, a former City Council member, is infamous for steering deals that benefited his private clients.
This influx of developer cash is bolstered by attorneys like Michael Menicucci of MVPC LLC, a major player in Staten Island real estate law, who contributed $750.
These donations raise questions about Hanks' priorities. Will she champion community interests or cater to developers who will line her coffers?
An unnamed Manhattan Democratic consultant remarked, "It's the same old story—politicians cozying up to developers while the community gets left in the dust."
2. Political Insiders: Diane Savino and the Eric Adams Connection
Diane Savino, a senior advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, has steadily supported Hanks, donating $350 twice. Savino's past controversies include accusations of using her position for personal gain, and her ties to Adams further complicate the narrative.
Adams, no stranger to criticism over his fundraising tactics, is known for his close relationships with lobbyists and developers.
Savino's support signals that Hanks may be more aligned with City Hall power brokers than her North Shore constituents. This connection raises red flags about Adams' administration's influence on Staten Island politics.
A political insider noted, "When you see Savino's name, you know the Adams machine isn't far behind. It's all about keeping power within their circle."
3. The Scandalous Circle of Bobby Digi and Laurie Cumbo
Henry "Bobby Digi" Olisa, the father of NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo's child, donated $150 to Hanks. Olisa, who runs the Canvas Institute, has faced scrutiny over questionable grant allocations and allegations of mismanagement in his nonprofit endeavors.
Cumbo has been criticized for alleged favoritism in arts funding during her tenure.
The relationship between Hanks and this power couple adds another layer of intrigue. Is Hanks' campaign a means to consolidate their influence further?
An unnamed consultant quipped, "It's a tangled web of personal and political connections. It looks like Kamillah is getting her ‘cut’ back from the Canvas Institue money. You have to wonder where the public's interest fits into all of this."
4. Lobbyists and Government Relations Insiders
Government relations professionals and lobbyists are another cornerstone of Hanks' financial backing. Carmen Cognetta, a retired political operative with a checkered history that includes allegations of backroom deals, donated $175. Bob Olivari of Olivari Public Affairs Strategies contributed another $175, signaling more support from the lobbying world.
Additionally, Teresa Gonzalez from Bolton-St. Johns, one of New York's top lobbying firms, made a $175 donation. Her firm has been involved in numerous high-profile controversies, including accusations of undue influence over city contracts.
These donations suggest that Hanks' campaign is heavily influenced by individuals who profit from government access.
A political observer commented, "When lobbyists start opening their wallets, you have to question what they expect in return."
5. Outsiders and the Question of Community Representation
A significant portion of Hanks' war chest comes from outside the North Shore. Contributions from affluent areas like New Jersey and Long Island dominate the records.
For instance, Heather Choi, a CPA from Connecticut, and Michael Kraus, a Brooklyn-based administrator, donated $1,000. Even donors from Florida, like Nick Petracca, added to Hanks' campaign coffers with maximum contributions.
Meanwhile, this influx of outside money overshadows local donors, further distancing Hanks from the community she claims to represent.
The exception was Hanks' hubby, Kevin Barry Love, a millionaire real estate developer, who offered only $10—a stingy contribution that raised eyebrows.
An unnamed Democratic consultant remarked, "It's telling when a candidate's support comes from everywhere but their own backyard. Kevin is a disgrace. He probably still has his communion money. Who are they really representing?"
We can only conclude that Richard Luthmann is right when he says Kevin Barry Love throws around nickels like the rest of us throw around manhole covers.
Conclusion: Bought and Paid For?
Kamillah Hanks' campaign contributions paint a picture of a candidate deeply indebted to big-money developers, political insiders, and scandal-tainted figures.
With such a diverse but controversial donor base, Hanks' ability to serve her North Shore constituents without undue influence remains in question.
This mix of money and scandal leaves voters wondering: Who really owns Kamillah Hanks?