Federal authorities are investigating New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for his involvement in the sale of Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is leading the investigation, the New York Daily News reports. It is unclear for what aspect of the sale de Blasio is being investigated. Bharara has subpoenaed all communications between New York City Hall and the hospital’s previous owner, the State University of New York.
Few specifics are known about the investigation, but it is clear that de Blasio is the main target of the investigation, according to the Daily News.
One source close to SUNY confirmed the subpoena and said "the clear target seems to be de Blasio." But the specifics of what Bharara is looking into were unclear.
The subpoena specifically seeks emails and other communication from de Blasio and top aides Tony Shorris, Emma Wolfe, Dominic Williams, Avi Fink and Henry Berger, the two sources said.
It also seeks all communication regarding the hospital dating to 2013 between SUNY and de Blasio’s campaign and his fundraiser Ross Offinger, as well as various groups tied to the mayor such as the Campaign For One New York, UPKNYC, and United for Affordable NYC, the sources said.
The subpoena demands emails and other communication between SUNY and de Blasio from 2013, when he was the city’s public advocate, they said.
State-run Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn was losing money, and SUNY wanted to sell it to private developers. De Blasio tried and failed to keep the site open to provide health care services, and the hospital was eventually acquired by a private development group. De Blasio’s Campaign for One New York campaign sent a letter in support of the sale.
The Mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily News.