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February 25, 2012
Forest City known for tough political skills around region
The Journal News
When the federal corruption trial of a former Yonkers councilwoman and her political operative cousin continues next week, testimony from Forest City Ratner Cos. executives could shine a light on alleged backroom financial dealings.
In the bribery trial of Sandy Annabi and former Republican leader Zehy Jereis, Scott Cantone, senior vice president for government and public relations for Forest City Ratner, already has testified that the developer provided Jereis with a $60,000 consulting job after he arranged a meeting with Annabi. Following the meeting, Annabi changed her vote to approve the company’s Ridge Hill retail and residential complex.
Cantone’s testimony may continue next week, and if you believe court filings and a trail of critics from Brooklyn to Yonkers, the allegations and political maneuvering are business as usual for Forest City Ratner. The development company’s politically connected millionaire chief executive, Bruce Ratner, has proven adept at facing down opposition to get what he wants.
Forest City Ratner has “little or no regard for public opinion,” said John Murtagh, a former Yonkers councilman and opponent of the Ridge Hill project who recently testified in the trial. “Their entire business model is to exploit every tax loophole and taxpayer-funded subsidy that they can. Promise the world and deliver far less, and do it all by manipulation.”
Posted by steve at February 25, 2012 10:59 PM