Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso declined gifts and travel from Turkish officials, contrasting sharply with the practices of predecessors including Mayor Eric Adams.
The New York Post reported that Reynoso made headlines after returning eight luxury tea sets gifted by the Turkish government shortly after his inauguration. In a recent interview with PIX 11, Reynoso detailed his decision to reject this and other offers, which he interpreted as attempts to unduly influence his office.
Upon taking office, Reynoso was presented with gold-plated porcelain tea sets by the Turkish consulate—an established gesture seen in previous administrations.
However, Reynoso promptly returned the gifts to the consulate. His refusal extended to declining a fully paid trip to Turkey, an offer that was also made to his predecessors under different circumstances.
Reynoso's rejection of these gestures is rooted in a desire to maintain integrity and impartiality within his office. He openly criticized the ongoing practice of gift-giving by foreign entities to New York City officials, which he argues could lead to conflicts of interest and impact decision-making processes adversely.
During the interview, Reynoso suggested that such interactions had influenced previous holders of his office, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, who served as Brooklyn Borough President from 2014 to 2021.
Adams allegedly accepted over $100,000 in gifts from Turkish officials during his term, including business class flights, hotel stays, and exclusive tours, which federal prosecutors claim compromised his role and influenced decisions regarding city policies and building approvals.
Reynoso pointed out that the elaborate gifts and the all-expenses-paid travel offered by the Turkish government are part of a broader issue with foreign enticements to local officials.
He emphasized that such propositions could undermine the very essence of public service, steering officers away from their duty to the public toward external interests. Reynoso highlighted the existing procedures in place for clearing international travel for city officials, which are designed to prevent such conflicts.
Reynoso expressed his disappointment in the Turkish government's attempts to establish relationships through gifts, noting that these actions should be widely recognized as inappropriate among diplomatic circles, especially concerning dealings with New York City officials.
His firm stance reflects a growing awareness and effort to maintain transparency and ethical governance in Brooklyn's municipal operations.
The issue of accepting gifts has historical precedents in Brooklyn politics. Former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, for instance, was fined $20,000 in 2011 for accepting free flights for his wife on trips officially sanctioned as business travels.
This historical context not only articulates the recurrence of such challenges but also underscores the tightening of ethical expectations surrounding city officials.
In reflecting on his decisions, Reynoso stated, "Looking back, I feel it was an intro to building a good relationship with me through gifts and so forth."
His proactive transparency aligns with ongoing discussions in political ethics, indicating a shift towards more rigorous standards to prevent conflicts of interest at the city level.
Reynoso's actions and the subsequent publicity surrounding them are a clear signal to foreign governments and entities looking to influence New York City's local governance through gifts and trips. By setting a precedent for refusing such offers, Reynoso hopes to foster a broader understanding and respect for the boundaries necessary between foreign entities and New York City officials.