City Council member Robert Jackson sent a strong message on Wednesday that he wants to see more accountability from the organization charged with distributing Columbia’s money in Manhattanville.
The Local Development Corporation has distributed only $300,000 of the $3.55 million that the University has given it for distribution to housing and community organizations in Manhattanville, and has been under fire from politicians over the last few weeks because of its lack of action.
Yesterday, Spectator reported Jackson’s comments defending the LDC’s timeline. Jackson said today that he believes that the organization has been operating in the best interests of local residents, and emphasizing his desire for more transparency.
“I have personally encouraged the board’s leadership to take the appropriate steps to increase transparency to the overall public about its operations, decision making process, and its accomplishments within the confines of a CBA [Community Benefits Agreement] of this magnitude,” Jackson said in a statement.
“When asked directly about my response to my colleague Attorney General Schneiderman’s subpoena of the WHLDC, my response has been that the board has nothing to hide. I further asserted that while I expect a transparent process with the goal of encouraging accountability for all involved, I also maintain that the WHLDC is free of any intentional wrong-doing or unethical dealings,” Jackson said.
Longtime U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel also commented on the investigation during an employment event at Columbia on Wednesday.
“Allegations have been made and the State Attorney General is looking at the allegations, and I don’t see how they could not,” Rangel told Spectator. “But it’s not formal, they’re just checking out the facts.”
Many of the allegations aimed at the LDC, including that they spent $400,000 on consultants, have been made by Vince Morgan, a former Rangel campaign director who is now running for his former employer’s Congressional seat.
“What could I possibly say about Vince Morgan?” Rangel said, sighing. “I see him from time to time and he always finds something nice to say. I always supported whatever he was doing in the private sector.”
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