NEW YORK – Emma Wolfe, a Greek-American who is a top aide to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, now reportedly has refused to talk to a special prosecutor examining the Working Families Party’s role in a 2009 City Council race.
Citing an unidentified source, the Wall Street Journal said that Wolfe was scheduled to appear before the investigator, Robert Bennet Adler, but has pulled out. She is Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Mayor.
The development came as charges against two political operatives have been filed in the case. Wolfe’s attorney told Adler’s office she won’t talk, the source told the paper.
She was due to give testimony on condition that any information couldn’t be used against her, it was reported. She would not comment.
For two years, Adler has been investigating the Working Families Party’s relationship with Data & Field Services, a corporation formed by the left-leaning party to provide its candidates with get-out-the-vote staffing and expertise.
Investigators are looking at whether the for-profit firm charged significantly lower fees than is typical for such services, potentially providing an unfair advantage to favored candidates.
According to a criminal complaint, David Thomas, who served as treasurer in Councilwoman Debi Rose’s 2009 campaign, and Rose’s campaign have been charged with grand larceny in the third degree and a variety of other charges. David Jones, a political consultant, was charged with grand larceny in the third degree.
The charges in the complaint were reported by the New York Post. Data & Field Services has been charged with conspiracy. Rose has been identified in the complaint as an “unindicted co-conspirator.”
Wolfe, who hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing, isn’t the only member of the de Blasio administration connected to the case.
Camille Rivera, a Deputy Commissioner in the city’s Department of Homeless Services, provided information as part of the investigation, the Journal said. Her attorney declined comment.
Adler declined to discuss the role of Wolfe and Riviera in the probe but said it did not involve any alleted impropriety related to their work since they joined de Blasio’s staff.