De Blasio: Donor who says he bought access is a ‘liar’

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) called a donor who claimed in a court testimony to have bought access to his office a “liar,” according to The New York Times. 

Jona Rechnitz — who is testifying in a Federal District Court case on his relationship to Norman Seabrook, a man charged in a kickback scheme involving the investment of retirement funds for a correctional officers’ union that he previously led — spent part of his testimony this week discussing his relationship with de Blasio.

In his testimony, Rechnitz said donations to the mayor’s campaign and an electoral fund founded by de Blasio gave him access to the mayor’s office and personal favors. 

De Blasio hit back Saturday, calling him a liar. 

“Jona Rechnitz has had his turn. Now it’s my turn to tell you the truth. Jona Rechnitz is a liar and a felon. It’s as simple as that,” he said at a news conference this week. 

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He said he recalled meeting with Rechnitz in 2013 after the Democratic primary, but did not remember other interactions detailed by Rechnitz in his testimony.

Rechnitz cooperated in past investigations into de Blasio’s fundraising practices. Those investigations did not lead to any charges against de Blasio.

Mayor de Blasio has denied ever giving special privileges to donors, accusing Rechnitz of trying to “besmirch” him ahead of his bid for reelection.