N.Y. Candidates Claim Political Motive in Rival’s Donations

Recent charitable contributions by billionaire businessman and New York City mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis have become an issue in the Republican race for the city’s top job, writes The Wall Street Journal.

The campaigns of GOP rivals Joe Lhota and George McDonald claim Mr. Catsimatidis is sprinkling donations around New York to attract votes, particularly in Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Mr. McDonald filed a complaint Tuesday with the city’s Campaign Finance Board, stating that the gifts have frequently been announced “in concert with political events” and cited in campaign tweets.

While several of the recent donations have been his first to particular organizations, Mr. Catsimatidis said 95 percent of his gifts this year have gone to past recipients. He dismissed his opponents’ allegations, telling the Journal, “I’m not giving contributions to curry favors from anybody. … I want to puke when people suggest that.”