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Queens Councilman Refuses Bribes To Put Liquor Store Near School
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 14, 2013
Modified Sep 14, 2013
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 14, 2013
Modified Sep 14, 2013
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Finally, an antidote to those many stories of politicians selling out their office for personal financial gain: Queens City Council Member Donovan Richards helped the NYC Department of Investigation nab three businessman who tried to bribe him in hopes of getting a liquor license. DOI Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn said, "Clearly, the good news is that there are public officials unwilling to sell their offices."
Tarsem Singh has been hoping to open a liquor store at 219-11 North Conduit Avenue and filed an application for a liquor license in May. However, the location is close to a school, and Richards was opposed to it. During a conversation with Singh and his associate Davinder Singh, the men tried to give cash to Richards to sway his stance.
Richards contacted the DOI immediately and worked with the agency. An investigator, posing as a representative of Richards', met with Tarsem Singh, Davinder Singh and Rajinder Singh at various times. From the DOI (PDF):
. The first meeting took place in June at a Queens diner where TARSEM SINGH and RAJINDER SINGH offered the DOI undercover cash in exchange for the Councilman’s support of the liquor store. During that meeting, RAJINDER SINGH went to a vehicle, obtained cash, and returned to the diner where he handed money to TARSEM SINGH who in turn handed the undercover investigator $500. During a second meeting at the diner in September TARSEM SINGH and DAVINDER SINGH offered the undercover $2,000 for the Councilman’s support for the license, which was to be the subject of an upcoming hearing before the SLA. TARSEM SINGH paid the undercover investigator $900 and the two businessmen agreed to pay the remaining $1,100 after the SLA hearing. The next day, DAVINDER SINGH texted the undercover investigator with the following, “Call the Liquor Authority. We are counting on you.” DOI notified the SLA, and arrests have been made.
The three men were charged with bribery and giving unlawful gratuities. Richards told the Post, "When I was elected, I promised my constituents that I would carry myself with the utmost integrity. May these arrests show those who seek to bribe public officials that our communities and children aren’t for sale."
Tagged
bribery
City Council
donovan richards
liquor license
queens
sla
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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