It’s a health care nonprofit intended as a lifeline to New York City’s poorest and most vulnerable communities—but it’s become a money hose for the former chief fundraiser of the Democratic National Committee.
Luis Miranda, a veteran New York City political guru who chairs Latino Victory’s board, told The Daily Beast he didn’t know how Muñoz and Tallaj’s relationship began except to say he sees them together “all the time” at events. He further maintained that Muñoz is no longer involved in Latino Victory’s day-to-day activities.
However, Soufer declined to share a breakdown of vendors that Muñoz would have paid the remaining $4.7 million to, even though he insisted none were firms belonging or paying a salary to his client. SOMOS’s outlay to Muñoz went up by almost two-thirds in 2019, topping $8.6 million, according to the disclosures—again for “consulting services.” Soufer asserted that the consultant held on to only $3.13 million of these funds, but still declined to provide the names of the other payees.
SOMOS refused to answer how it decided that hiring a costly out-of-state consultant represented the best value for the organization and the public funds in its care, and who else it considered for his role. But it maintained that all his seven- and eight-figure deals underwent a gamut of internal approvals.
During the period for which records are available, SOMOS’s revenues declined markedly: from $182.8 million in 2018 to $104.7 million in 2019 to $33.5 million in 2020, tracking with the tapering-off of the state Medicaid program that the group was founded to capitalize on.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Italy’s Democratic head blasts limit on LGBTQ parent rightsThe head of Italy’s opposition Democratic Party blasted a bureaucratic crackdown on LGBTQ families as ideological, cruel and discriminatory and vowed Saturday to push through legislation to better recognize and protect their rights.
Read more »
Adams, Nadler boast NYC is best choice for 2024 Democratic National ConventionMayor Eric Adams and Rep. Jerrold Nadler said Saturday as they made a full-court press for the Big Apple to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Read more »
Pence slams Trump arrest rumors, but questions Democratic priorities“Well, like many Americans, I'm just, I'm taken aback,” Mike_Pence said of the prospect of his former boss being indicted and arrested next week. 'This is what the ManhattanDA says is their top priority?”
Read more »
Republican bills push cash bail, subvert Democratic changesRepublican lawmakers across the country are pushing to increase the use of cash bail and pretrial detention
Read more »