Daily News published an editorial Sunday pointing the finger at 46th District City Councilman Lew Fidler for owing taxpayers $88,500. Fidler received the money as part of the city’s public funding system for his campaign against Republican Gene Berardelli, and was widely criticized for taking the maximum amount when his opponent had only raised $2,000.
We, too, were shocked at the amount of money Fidler asked for in his massive 41-page affidavit, which included coverage from Sheepshead Bites as evidence of a competitive race. Fidler told the Daily News, “”If it turns out that I don’t need it, I’ll return it.”
That’s why the day after the election we contacted the councilman to see how much he’d be returning. He wrote:
As of today, I have no clue what we spent and we are still paying bills. I can only GUESS that we will be returning a five figure number, but can’t say for sure.
Clearly he has no intention of meeting Daily News’ demand that he return all $88,500. But campaign funds are given out with the expectation that they’ll be spent, so getting five figures back – if that’s what we get – can be seen by some as a positive step.
What do you think? Should Fidler reimburse the city the entire $88,500? Or was he within his right to spend away?
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Every penny must be returned.
Well, let’s face it. It’ all Ned and Dan’s fault. It’s a well known fact that Sheepshead Bites has tens of thousands of readers, and mainstream media constantly picks up stories covered here. The same can be said for GBnet.
Seriously though, its absurd that the CFB would even consider consider giving one candidate more than 50 times the amount of total money raised by his opposition. Everyone, including Lew Fielder, was quite aware that Gene Berardelli’s chances of success were small. If allocating money was done fairly Gene would have received 2 dollars for every dollar raised, and even for that the amount would have been less than $3,000.
The accounting done by Councilman Fielder should made public. And a comparison made between money raised personally by the councilman and money spent. I doubt he spent more money than that.
An even better Daily News type headline would be “Fidler To Fork Over Five Figures” Big friggin deal. The non-election is over. Unless those poor over worked individuals in that agency that shall not be named decide to get a back bone and hold a recall election, Nero is still going to be in power next year.
[...] Fidler drew the ire of city press ever since he received the $88,550 – making his total war chest over $170,000 – in matching funds, with the Daily News going as far as demanding he return every penny of taxpayer dollars. His opponent, Gene Berardelli, only raised about $4,000 and did not qualify for matching funds. [...]
So, Lew Fidler, have you paid back the money yet? I haven't seen nor heard anything about it recently. Pay it back, Lew.