NYC Dem big’s ‘conflict’ eyed

Government watchdogs on Friday urged state ethics officials to investigate whether Keith Wright is violating New York’s conflictof-interest-law by working for a high-powered lobbying firm while continuing to serve as the Manhattan Democratic leader.

The Post raised questions last month about Wright’s unusual dual role — becoming a lobbyist at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron while remaining the local party boss.

Common Cause, New York Citizens Union and Reinvent Albany sent a joint letter to the Joint Commission on Public Integrity saying Wright’s dual arrangement “may be in violation of the New York State Public Officers Law.”

“Keith Wright can be a party chairman or a lobbyist, but he can’t have it both ways,” said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York.

“The opportunities to wield his political position for personal enrichment, or use his position to advance a client’s agenda, present a clear conflict of interest. He’s got to make a choice.”

Wright, a former Harlem state assemblyman, lost a bid to succeed Charles Rangel in Congress last year.

Dick Dadey, of Citizens Union, called Wright’s dual roles a “troubling conflict.”

“Chairman Wright cannot lobby Manhattan elected city officials for support on interests he represents, while at the same time working with these same officials on political matters over which he has considerable power as county chair,” Dadey said.

Wright insisted on Friday that his arrangement is “very appropriate.”