Related Companies donated $100,000 to a political action committee that launched a digital campaign against Democratic attorney general candidate Zephyr Teachout.
The company provided funds to the Committee for Justice and Fairness PAC on Aug. 29, Politico reported. On Sept. 7, the PAC filed plans to spend $100,000 on anti-Teachout ads that will run through Thursday, which is primary day.
The money from Related appears to be biggest contribution the PAC has received this year. The PAC reported in July that it had a mere $727.55 on hand. Teachout has made it a point of saying that she will not accept donations from real estate developers and has proposed a series of reforms aimed at cracking down on the industry. Right after donating to the PAC, Related provided $21,000 to one of Teachout’s opponents, Sean Patrick Maloney.
“Big real estate is throwing everything at me because they know I won’t back down,” Teachout said in a statement. “New Yorkers need an Attorney General to protect them from predatory billionaires like Ross.”
According to an analysis by The Real Deal, Maloney and Public Advocate Letitia James have collectively raised more than $700,000 from New York City real estate interests in their bids to become the next AG. [Politico] — Kathryn Brenzel