CUNY contract ‘ads’ to suspicious-spending probe

The City University of New York bypassed procurement rules to steer a fat $1.25 million, no-bid contract to a favored firm as part of its ad and marketing “rebranding” campaign, The Post has learned.

The Siegelvision contract has raised eyebrows because there is no shortage of ad-firm competition in New York City, sources said.

“This is another example of how CUNY and [State University of New York] non- profits have been spinning out of control. They need independent oversight from the attorney general and comptroller and more transparency,” said John Kaehny, executive director of the watchdog group Reinvent Albany.

The ads in subway cars tout CUNY as the “Greatest Urban University in the World.” One ad boasts, “In Paris they have a tower, In London they have a bridge, In New York we have a University.”

The state Inspector Gen- eral’s Office is now investigating the contract as part of its probe of the university’s questionable spending.

A CUNY spokesman said only, “We are cooperating with the Inspector General’s Office.”