City slams Liu for publicized rejection of homeless shelter
City comptroller and mayoral hopeful John Liu put out a press release Thursday announcing his rejection of a contract for a homeless shelter in the Bronx.
The city reportedly only heard of the decision via the release, according to reports from the Daily News, prompting angry condemnation from Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs, who accused Liu of political opportunism.
Gibbs reportedly called Liu’s actions “an irresponsible and blatant attempt to advance his political ambitions,” the Daily News reported.
Liu’s office claimed the city was notified prior to sending the press release.
In the release, Liu criticized the Bloomberg administration, referring to “City Hall’s failed record on homeless policy” and alleging that emergency shelters have been overly concentrated in “certain neighborhoods.”
The release also quoted Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.: “This administration has worked to force this contract to completion and has used fraudulent means to reach that goal, blatantly ignoring the input of the community and its representatives,” Diaz said in the release.
The Daily News noted that Liu can only stop the contract if he can prove corruption or a lack of funds.
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