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New York

Rechnitz funnelled $255K in city money to Wiesenthal Center program: report

JSR boss also allegedly funded a “mile high club” private flight for NYPD brass

Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance New York and Jona Rechnitz
Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance New York and Jona Rechnitz

Revelations about the political wheelings and dealings of JSR Capital’s Jona Rechnitz, under federal investigation for corruption, continue.

The real estate investor and Africa Israel alumnus reportedly leveraged his political connections to ensure $655,000 in funding over two years for a New York City Police Department training seminar at the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Museum of Tolerance.

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The JSR boss, who worked with the museum since 2012, organized tours for top cops and worked with its rabbi, Steven Burg, and an affiliated lobbyist Michael Cohen – who has since become the museum’s director – to push for funding with the City Council, the New York Post reported, citing a source familiar with Rechnitz’s alleged dealings.

Rechnitz also allegedly gave gifts to and paid travel expenses for NYPD officials, including private jet flights with, at least on one occasion, a prostitute dressed as a flight attendants, the Post reported.

The real estate industry player, a major contributor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, is under investigation by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara as part of a larger probe into the mayor’s campaign financing. [NYP] – Ariel Stulberg

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Jona Rechnitz