Pols’ fishy links to Harlem nonprofit
A new nonprofit group created to advocate for the Harlem community is controlled by workers and allies of local elected leaders, The Post has learned.
Evidence shows that New York 4 Harlem is not a grass-roots group but an entity with ties to state representatives, raising questions about whether the organization will promote the neighborhood or is just a front group to tout Harlem’s politicians.
Nonprofit groups are forbidden from engaging in campaign activity.
Assemblywoman Inez Dickens helped organize the group’s first fundraiser last month at Sylvia’s Restaurant, which she made very clear on her Dickens for New York Facebook page. She emphasized that a who’s who of Harlem’s political establishment would cohost the event along with Harlem’s four state legislators.
“Hon. David Dinkins, Hon. Charles Rangel, Hon. David Paterson and Keisha Sutton-James In- vite you to a Power Breakfast at Sylvia’s with State Senator Brian A. Benjamin, Assembly Members Inez E. Dickens, Robert J. Rodriguez and Al Taylor,” the Jan. 9 post trumpeted.
The Web post asked contributors to donate $500 to $5,000, adding, “Please make checks payable to and mail to: New York 4 Harlem” at 193 Malcolm X Blvd., Suite 1.
That is the same address as a Dickens campaign consultant, Darren Rigger with Dynamic SRG.
New York 4 Harlem sponsored a trip to Albany on Saturday for a conference sponsored by the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators. The flier for the event included the photos of the four Harlem state legislators — Dickens, Benjamin, Taylor and Rodriguez.
The contact person for the event, Shana Harmongoff, is a staffer working in Sen. Benjamin’s office. Harmongoff referred questions about the group to Londel Davis, Dickens’ $4,000-a-month campaign strategist, who confirmed he had a hand in launching it. Londel’s twin brother, Donel, a retired deputy sheriff, is New York 4 Harlem’s treasurer.
Dickens insisted she does not control the group and did not play a major role in its creation.
“I’m not the guiding force behind New York 4 Harlem,” Dickens said. “It’s just another organization.”
Londel Davis said the group will be an independent entity that works with Harlem’s elected officials with a focus on pushing for the community’s needs in Albany.
“We’re here to support our elected officials to push for what is needed in Harlem,” he said.
A veteran of Harlem politics who attended the group’s fundraiser said, “This is Inez’s thing. She was the ringleader. This is Inez’s move to fill the vacuum left by Charlie Rangel’s retirement.”