Scott’s Grand $tand

The Eric Garner case is bringing out the worst in city officials. The latest is Comptroller Scott Stringer, who’s practically tripping over himself to ensure he’s the guy who hands the Garner family a multimillion check at city expense.

Traditionally, the Law Department runs point on lawsuits against the city. Following a trial or settlement, the comptroller then reviews and signs off.

That’s changed this year, with Stringer inserting himself into cases early. So in this case, even before the Garners have formally filed suit, Stringer’s rushing in to pay, claiming he will save the city millions.

Let’s be honest. This isn’t about justice for Eric Garner or his family. This is about Scott Stringer and his political ambitions.

Even the Garner family itself seems cool to the Stringer offer. Family attorney Jonathan Moore made clear the Garners cannot simply be paid off. The Garners have other things they want, including the retraining of police — things Moore suggests Scott Stringer doesn’t have the authority to deliver.

The authority Stringer does have is to look out for the interests of the taxpayer. If the Garners are entitled to money, they should go through the proper process — not have the comptroller rushing to greet them while waving an open city checkbook.

This is the same Stringer, remember, who treats police officers assigned to his detail as personal servants and has them chauffeuring his wife around. Of the preemptive move to settle the Garner case, Stringer says it’s in “everyone’s interest.”

Well, at least his.