By M. Thomas Nast and Frankie Pressman with Richard Luthmann
Kamillah Hanks, a NYC Council Member representing Staten Island’s North Shore, has earned a reputation not for her achievements but for a web of scandals that have enriched her inner circle while neglecting her constituents.
Critics say Hanks has betrayed the public trust, leaving the North Shore in disrepair while her associates flourish under questionable deals and backroom maneuvers.
The Mazzei Connection: Drug Money in Politics
Hanks has faced mounting scrutiny for accepting campaign contributions from Ettore Mazzei, a known Staten Island drug kingpin. Mazzei was arrested earlier this year for running a large-scale narcotics operation. According to local sources, Mazzei was also a business associate of Hanks’ husband, Kevin Barry Love.
“Kevin and Mazzei weren’t just acquaintances—they were partners,” claimed one source familiar with the situation. It’s common knowledge that Mazzei supplied Kevin’s marijuana.”
Despite public outrage, Hanks has refused to return the tainted campaign contributions.
“If DA Mike McMahon thinks Mazzei is bad news, why doesn’t Kamillah? I trust Mike McMahon to keep me safe,” a community leader said.
Public Funds or Personal Favors?
Hanks’ allocation of $105,000 in NYC public funds to Henry “Bobby Digi” Olisa, the baby daddy of NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, has raised eyebrows. Digi Olisa runs the Canvas Institute and has a history of not-for-profit mismanagement with Island Voice, where no tax returns were ever filed.
Olisa, a controversial figure in Staten Island, is reportedly under investigation by the NYC Department of Investigation for threatening Hanks’ critics.
“Digi is a RAT,” said a North Shore resident with knowledge of the investigation. “And now he’s using public funds to silence opposition to Hanks. It’s disgraceful.”
Critics argue that Hanks’ decision to fund Digi’s projects represents cronyism at its worst, benefiting political allies rather than the community.
The ‘How Many Stops Act’ Fallout
Hanks’ sponsorship of the “How Many Stops Act,” a bill limiting police authority, has sparked backlash from law enforcement unions and community members alike.
“This bill ties the hands of good cops,” said a retired NYPD sergeant.
NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) President Vincent Vallelong was not as charitable.
"She sold herself as pro-law enforcement for endorsements, but her vote exposes a lack of truthfulness and transparency. As Public Safety Committee Chair, her support of this idiotic bill demonstrates ignorance of police work and disregard for public safety," Vallelong said.
Hanks also supports True2Life, an organization critics describe as a “gangbanger groupie network.”
True2Life has advocated for the parole of Shatiek Johnson, who murdered NYPD Officer Gerard Carter, and John Pena, a gang leader recently convicted of multiple murders.
The Carter family has been vocal about their disappointment.
“Kamillah stood with us at a memorial for my husband and, days later, gave funding to people advocating for his killer’s release,” said Jozette Carter-Williams, widow of Officer Carter. “How can anyone trust her?”
Nepotism and Power Grabs
Hanks’ use of her position to place family members and allies in lucrative roles has fueled allegations of nepotism. Sources say she’s placed Love’s children in positions at the NYC Board of Elections while firing long-time party loyalists just before the holidays.
Hanks’ backroom deals have alienated allies across the political spectrum. In a blatant show of disrespect for Staten Island Democrats and their Chair, Laura Sword, Hanks installed Michele Sileo as the Staten Island Democratic Board of Elections Commissioner, bypassing the County Committee’s choice, Debi Rose.
“She openly defied the County Committee. Our voice matters. We are the rank and file. We got her elected,” recalled a source from within the committee.
Sileo is married to Jimmy Grant, a disgraced former cop who now allegedly acts as another of Hanks' "enforcers.”
“She says she doesn’t need the County Committee,” said one insider at the Rosebank Christmas tree lighting. “She said, ‘I’ll get my own signatures.’ Kamillah’s about control, not collaboration.”
Deadbeat Allegations
Both Hanks and Love have earned a reputation as “deadbeats.” Multiple staffers from her 2017 campaign allege they were never paid for their work, while others claim Hanks diverted funds to family members in violation of NYC Campaign Finance Board rules.
“Kevin told my collections lawyer to ‘bring it,’ like he was above the law,” said Richard Luthmann, their former campaign and family attorney. “They don’t pay their bills or their people, but Kevin’s relatives got paid in cash. Get your money upfront with those two.”
Richard Luthmann contributes to this outlet and provided background and comments on this story. He wants to state for the record that he strongly disagrees with the “editorial statements” and picture selection in this article about a particular Staten Island elected law enforcement official.
“Her handshake is meaningless, and her word can’t be trusted,” said another former consultant. “She left campaign workers unpaid while she and Love vacationed in Paris. This district deserves better.”
Internal Dissent
Even within her office, Hanks faces turmoil. Staffers Paul Casali and Michael Arvanites, whom she once dismissed in public conversations as “drunks,” have returned to her team.
Arvanities is a NYC Council employee. But you wouldn’t know it, as Hanks regularly tasks the Communications Director with putting out political fires. Such activities have reportedly drawn the scrutiny of the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board.
Casali left the NYC Council office earlier this year for a New Jersey Campaign but was reportedly asked to return to the Hanks 2025 campaign team.
Meanwhile, Hanks is reportedly obsessed with rooting out a “mole” within her office, who she believes is leaking information to the press.
“She threatened to fire anyone she suspects,” said a source inside her office.
Moral is suffering in the Hanks camp.
“Her own staff doesn’t trust her, and she doesn’t trust them,” said a City Hall source. “That’s not the way to inspire a following. I think she’s done for.”
Political Isolation
Hanks has alienated nearly every key political ally. The Staten Island Democratic County Chair, Laura Sword, no longer supports her.
NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams stripped Hanks of her Public Safety Committee chairmanship and relegated her to less influential roles.
“She’s the sub-committee chair on ‘naming things.’ They don’t even trust her to do that because the Committee Chair can veto her recommendations,” said a well-known Manhattan Democratic consultant. “It’s time to name this one what it is: a disaster.”
Even Mayor Eric Adams, once a staunch ally, has reportedly distanced himself due to the scandals surrounding her and her associates, including Kevin Barry Love and Bobby Digi, believed to be Federal Informants.
A District in Decline
While Hanks focuses on consolidating power and shielding herself from criticism, Staten Island’s North Shore struggles with worsening crime, dilapidated infrastructure, and neglected public services.
“Kamillah Hanks doesn’t represent us,” said a frustrated resident of Tompkinsville. “She represents herself and her cronies.”
“The North Shore needs someone who puts the community first,” said a long-time resident. “Kamillah Hanks is not the person to carry forward Debi Rose’s legacy of leadership.”
As 2025 approaches, Hanks faces an uphill re-election battle. Jozette Carter-Williams, widow of Officer Gerard Carter, has announced her candidacy, promising to restore integrity and accountability to the district.
“It’s time to put the people first,” Carter-Williams said.
Conclusion
Kamillah Hanks’ tenure has been marred by scandal after scandal, leaving her constituents disillusioned and her political future uncertain. From drug money to nepotism to deadbeat behavior, Hanks’ actions reveal a politician out of touch with her district's needs.
Whether the voters of the North Shore will hold her accountable remains to be seen, but the tide of opposition is growing stronger.
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