By Rick LaRivière and Richard Luthmann
Kamillah Hanks, the NYC Council Member for Staten Island's North Shore, faces mounting scrutiny over her campaign finances. Amid allegations of fraud, cronyism, and connections to criminal donors, critics call for an investigation that could strip Hanks of her 8-to-1 public matching funds.
The NYC Campaign Finance Board’s recent denial of over $4 million in matching funds to Mayor Eric Adams and its historical “death penalty” ruling against John Liu in 2013 highlight the potential peril for Hanks.
With her tenure marred by scandals and questionable financial dealings, the stakes have never been higher for Hanks and the future of Staten Island’s North Shore.
CFB Cracks Down on Campaign Violations
The NYC Campaign Finance Board’s (CFB) recent decision to deny over $4 million in matching funds to Mayor Eric Adams’ 2025 re-election campaign has set a chilling precedent for candidates who fail to meet its stringent standards. The denial came after allegations surfaced of insufficient documentation and the potential use of straw donors in Adams’ campaign. The CFB’s decision reflects its unwavering stance on protecting public funds from abuse.
"The integrity of the public financing system depends on strict compliance with campaign rules,” the CFB stated in its decision. Adams, once considered a beneficiary of the system, now faces an uphill battle to regain public trust and financial stability for his campaign.
This high-profile decision follows historical examples of the CFB’s enforcement power, most notably in 2013 when it denied $3.5 million in matching funds to then-mayoral candidate John Liu. Federal charges against Liu’s staff exposed a straw donor scheme, leading the CFB to issue what was called the “matching funds death penalty.” Liu’s campaign never recovered from the decision, underscoring the catastrophic consequences of financial impropriety in NYC elections.
Now, all eyes are on NYC Council Member Kamillah Hanks, whose campaign finances have raised questions eerily similar to those in the Adams and Liu cases. Allegations of fraud, cronyism, and connections to criminal donors have prompted calls for an investigation into Hanks’ campaign finances.
Kamillah Hanks and the Mazzei Connection
Hanks is under fire for accepting campaign contributions from Ettore Mazzei, the indicted Staten Island drug kingpin being held without bail. Mazzei, who was arrested earlier this year for operating a large-scale narcotics operation, donated heavily to Hanks’ 2021 campaign. Critics claim the funds, combined with the city’s 8-to-1 public matching program, gave Hanks thousands in tainted campaign contributions.
Despite public outrage, Hanks has refused to return the money. Her silence has only fueled speculation about her connections to Mazzei, who local sources allege was a close associate of Hanks’ husband, Kevin Barry Love.
"Kevin and Mazzei weren’t just acquaintances—they were partners,” one source claimed. “It’s well-known that Mazzei supplied Kevin’s marijuana.”
The refusal to return Mazzei’s money contrasts sharply with the CFB’s expectations of financial transparency. Critics argue that if the board scrutinized Hanks’ campaign, her public matching funds could be in jeopardy. “If DA Mike McMahon thinks Mazzei is bad news, why doesn’t Kamillah?” asked a community leader.
Public Funds, Private Gains
Hanks’ financial controversies don’t stop with Mazzei. Her allocation of $105,000 in NYC public funds to Henry “Bobby Digi” Olisa, the baby daddy of NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, has also raised eyebrows. Digi, a controversial figure with a history of not-for-profit mismanagement, has been accused of using public funds to silence critics of Hanks.
“Digi is a RAT,” a North Shore resident said, referencing Olisa’s alleged status as a federal informant. “And now he’s using taxpayer dollars to protect Kamillah’s reputation. It’s disgraceful.”
Critics argue that these actions represent blatant cronyism, prioritizing Hanks’ allies over community needs. Meanwhile, Staten Island’s North Shore struggles with rising crime, neglected infrastructure, and insufficient public services. “Kamillah Hanks represents herself, not us,” said a frustrated Tompkinsville resident.
Parallels to Adams and Liu
The potential consequences for Hanks mirror those faced by Eric Adams and John Liu. The CFB's denial of $4.7 million to Adams over alleged campaign finance violations highlights its commitment to transparency. In Liu’s case, the CFB’s refusal to release $3.5 million due to pervasive violations effectively ended his mayoral aspirations.
The outcome could be devastating if Hanks’ campaign finances are similarly scrutinized. Allegations of unreported contributions, misuse of public funds, and connections to criminal donors put her 8-to-1 matching funds at significant risk. The CFB’s rules leave no room for error, and any violations could lead to a denial of public funds.
Jozette Carter-Williams, Hanks’ opponent and widow of slain NYPD Officer Gerard Carter, seemingly supports a full CFB audit of Hanks’ campaign hijinx.
“The people of the North Shore deserve honest leadership,” Carter-Williams said at a recent campaign event. “We cannot afford another scandal.”
The Fallout of Financial Impropriety
The stakes are high for Hanks. Losing public matching funds would cripple her re-election campaign and erode her already fragile public trust. Allegations of nepotism, financial mismanagement, and political thuggery have marked her tenure.
Hanks’ political isolation is evident. NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams stripped her of her Public Safety Committee chairmanship earlier this year. Staten Island Democratic County Chair Laura Sword has distanced herself from Hanks, citing her defiance of party directives to appoint Debi Rose to the Board of Elections and prioritization of personal gain over community welfare.
With mounting scandals and a growing chorus of critics, Hanks’ political future appears increasingly uncertain. Her actions have disillusioned the North Shore, with residents demanding accountability and transparency.
Conclusion: Will the CFB Act?
As the NYC Campaign Finance Board continues demonstrating its resolve to protect public funds, Kamillah Hanks’ campaign finances deserve a thorough review. Parallels to the high-profile cases of Eric Adams and John Liu underscore the potential for Hanks to face similar consequences.
With allegations of fraud, cronyism, and connections to criminal donors, Hanks’ campaign is a ticking time bomb. If the CFB acts, Staten Island’s North Shore could see another politician held accountable for failing to meet the standards of public office.
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