NYC Council Member Kamillah Hanks Mired in Multiple Controversies
NYC Council Member Kamillah Hanks Mired in Multiple Controversies
NYPD Union Pulls Endorsement; Hanks Ducks Service; NYC Cultural Affairs Commish Cumbo's Hubby Digi Gets $100,000+ in "Cultural Funds" from Hanks
By Dick LaFontaine
NYC Council Member Kamillah Hanks finds herself at the center of multiple controversies, casting a shadow over her political career and raising serious questions about ethics and integrity in NYC governance. From facing the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association's ire over her support for the divisive 'How Many Stops' bill to dodging legal papers in a sprawling lawsuit, Hanks' actions are under intense scrutiny.
But perhaps most troubling is Hanks' recent decision to allocate $105,000 in NYC Council funds to the Canvas Institute for Arts and Culture. The non-profit, led by Henry “Bobby Digi” Olisa, husband of NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, is embroiled in allegations of Digi's past mafia connections and failed business ventures. Critics see this as an apparent conflict of interest, questioning the integrity of Hanks' funding decisions.
Police Union Denounces NYC Council Member Hanks for Backing Controversial 'How Many Stops' Bill
The NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), led by President Vincent Vallelong, has publicly condemned Staten Island Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks for her affirmative vote on the divisive "How Many Stops Act." The bill mandates tracking of investigative interactions with the public. While proponents label it police transparency, the new NYC law has stirred significant controversy.
Vallelong lambasted Hanks, stating, "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."
Councilwoman Hanks, re-elected in November with previous SBA support, faces a significant break in her relationship with law enforcement. Hanks defended her decision and emphasized the need to balance police workload with community concerns. "This reporting bill is for the hardworking families in high-violence neighborhoods, balancing their safety and enforcement experiences," she explained.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams spearheaded the bill, which narrowly evaded Mayor Eric Adams' veto potential with a 35-member Council majority. However, conservative NYC Council members like Joseph Borelli and David Carr opposed it, citing increased bureaucracy.
The bill, effective from October 2024, requires detailed quarterly NYPD reports on investigative encounters, including demographic data and officers' actions. Vallelong criticized Hanks for not supporting law enforcement at this crucial juncture, questioning her integrity and commitment to her constituents' safety.
Despite her past support from NYPD unions, Hanks' recent vote raises questions about its impact on her 2025 re-election campaign. She remains resolute, expressing a desire to balance transparency with effective policing. "My decision reflects the complexity of ensuring transparency and effective policing, a view my retired NYPD Sergeant grandfather would have shared," Hanks said.
But an NYC political consultant who did not wish to be named said Hanks should be very concerned. “Once you lose the police unions, they never come back. And it’s near impossible to carry a district on Staten Island if you’re perceived as anti-cop.”
Nail and Mail Time: Councilwoman Hanks and Beau Love Dodge Luthmann’s Legal Lightning
Richard Luthmann, a former lawyer known for his theatrical courtroom presence, is determined to serve legal papers in a sprawling multi-million dollar lawsuit. His targets include NYC Council Member Kamillah Hanks, her partner Kevin Barry Love, and several other high-profile figures.
Luthmann’s relentless pursuit has led to successful service on suspended attorney Christopher Ambrose and the Staten Island non-profit NYC Arts Cypher. His frustration with Hanks and Love's evasion tactics is palpable.
"My process servers told me that Kamillah and Kevin are basically 'scared shitless' to be handed papers," Luthmann said, recounting how Hanks hid behind a Christmas tree on Tuesday afternoon. Following suit on Wednesday evening, Love nervously refused a 'delivery' from behind his locked door.
Unfazed, Luthmann is prepared to escalate his efforts. "The next step is 'nail and mail,’ "he declared, hinting at a more aggressive approach to ensure the service sticks, especially given the pair's slippery nature.
Filed last month in the Manhattan Supreme Court, the lawsuit implicates Hanks, Love, and others in a complex conspiracy involving unpaid debts and evading political fallout from past crimes.
The suit is particularly scathing about Hanks and Love's alleged involvement in deceptive social media campaigns during Hanks' 2017 City Council Primary election campaign and their failure to pay Luthmann for legal services. The former lawyer seeks over $600,000 in unpaid legal fees, over $500,000 in compensatory damages, and $5 million in punitive damages, targeting several notable defendants, including Hanks, Love, and NYS Supreme Court Justice Ronald Castorina, Jr.
The lawsuit paints a detailed picture of their alleged roles in the conspiracy, with Luthmann claiming they engaged in criminal acts to evade his lawfully earned legal fees and other debts. The claims go beyond the financial, alleging that Hanks and Love were part of a group that manipulated the US Probation Office and the federal government against Luthmann, causing significant harm to his career as a journalist.
Luthmann’s allegations are bolstered by an affidavit from political consultant Michael J. Cox, who details his own experiences of non-payment and strong-arm tactics by Love.
As Luthmann successfully served suspended attorney Christopher Ambrose and NYC Arts Cypher, he is now setting his sights on the remaining defendants, including Ronald Castorina and Eric Nelson. He expects to see them served in the coming days.
Cultural Affairs or Cronyism? Digi's Non-Profit Cashes in on NYC Council Connections
In a move raising questions about potential conflict of interest and cronyism, NYC Council Member Kamillah Hanks has allocated $105,000 in council funds to the Canvas Institute for Arts and Culture, a non-profit led by Bobby Digi, who is married to NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. This transaction has sparked controversy amidst allegations of Digi's past connections with purported La Cosa Nostra associates and his failed business ventures.
Digi's non-profit, the Canvas Institute, known for its focus on cultural and social-emotional learning for youth, has been a significant player in Staten Island's cultural landscape. However, its recent funding boon from NYC Council Member Hanks has led to scrutiny, given Digi's marital ties to NYC Commissioner Cumbo and his contentious past business dealings.
“I was delighted to join Bobby Digi and the CANVAS Institute family at the opening of their new hub. I admire the impactful work they do with young people in our community. Equally exciting was announcing the allocation of $105,000 in funding from the NYC Council to support their efforts in providing career readiness and mentorship,” said Hanks in a recent mailing from her office.
However, critics question why Canvas Institute was chosen over other deserving non-profits, pointing to Digi's relationship with Cumbo as a possible factor. Digi, Executive Director of the Canvas Institute, has been a staple in Staten Island's business and cultural scenes since 2006.
Allegedly, the FBI and DOJ have previously scrutinized his business connections, notably early potential investors in a failed Staten Island restaurant and pub on Minthorne Street. According to FBI reports and DOJ filings, these connections were labeled as allegedly having mafia ties, raising alarms over the integrity of Digi's dealings.
Digi's political aspirations and activities make the funding decision even more controversial. He previously ran in the 2020 Democrat Primary for New York State Assembly, raising suspicions about the campaign's financial integrity. He outraised all his opponents ($53,772.52) but still “lost.” The FBI's implication of Digi's associates in criminal activities only adds to the intrigue surrounding his political and business ventures.
These developments have led to calls for an audit of Digi's campaign finances and a closer examination of the relationships between Digi, Cumbo, and Hanks, their public offices, and related not-for-profits.
With allegations of mafia connections and potential misuse of political power, this case highlights the complex and often murky world of NYC politics and government. The situation begs whether these elected officials and their associates are engaged in legitimate cultural endeavors or if there's more to the story than meets the eye.
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It’s just more scumbag nonsense by this scumbag administration. 2025 vote for Josette Carter in city council district 49.