AG: Economic Development Corp. illegally lobbied for Willets Point, Coney Island projects

A three-year investigation into the lobbying efforts of the city’s Economic Development Corporation has concluded that the body illegally lobbied for developments in Queens and Brooklyn, the New York Times reported.

The office of the state attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, found that the EDC “played a behind-the-scenes role,” backing two groups that lobbied for Willets Point and Coney Island projects. The groups admitted fault, the Times said, and no civil or criminal penalties will be imposed.

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“These local development corporations flouted the law by lobbying elected officials, both directly and through third parties, to win approval of their favored projects,” Schneiderman said. “These organizations will reform their practices to comply with the law.” [NYT]