« The Fight Against Atlantic Yards | Main | Tamar McFarlane: Gentrification Fighter »
February 11, 2007
Wikipedia War over Michael Ratner
Don't Worry It's Just Reality: Brooklyn Edition on Michael Ratner's Wikipedia entry...
What keeps getting removed? this section:ControversyInvestigative reporter Norman Oder uncovered campaign contributions made by Micheal to politicians in Brooklyn - where he does not live - but his brother has been involved in controversial real estate deals. His brother, Bruce Ratner, has been accused of [ http://nymag.com/news/features/18862/ corruption and political ruthlessness] including eminent domain abuse. Critics have charged that Michael ignores his brother's subversion of the democratic process and unconstitutional use of eminent domain. (the project in question would force homeowners to sell their property so Forest City can build luxury condos.
Michael Ratner and his wife, Karen Ranucci, both Greenwich Village residents, have recently made campaign contributions using Forest City Ratner's Brooklyn building as a return address. Ranucci has matched many of her husband's contributions. And Bruce Ratner's girlfriend, Pamela Lipkin, as well as other Ratner family members, have made contributions engineered by an FCR lobbying firm. The Ratner campaign money trail leads to... Michael (& his wife)
apparently michael ratner's cheerleaders aren't too proud of his campaign contributions. Why not, doesn't this upstanding crusading civil libertarian support those fighting eminent domain abuse? Not when the abuser is his crooked brother.
Posted by amy at February 11, 2007 1:45 PM