Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
James Dolan doesn’t often give public interviews, but when he does, you’d better strap in. And his Thursday television appearance was definitely a doozy. After facing criticism from the state attorney general and lawmakers for his use of facial recognition software to keep people he doesn’t like out of Madison Square Garden, Dolan decided to set the record straight. The interview had everything: bail reform, references to “The Godfather,” and the cessation of booze sales in the Garden. It was truly a ride, and it seems like Dolan’s only just getting started.
Jessica Tisch -
There’s nothing like being the New York City sanitation commissioner on the day the mayor announces the launch of citywide composting. Jessica Tisch was visibly delighted as the mayor called her out during his State of the City address. Over the next 20 months, voluntary curbside pickup will come to each borough. Watch out rats, you don’t run this city, Tisch does.
Steve McLaughlin -
Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin is having a considerably better week compared to his last year. After being arrested and charged with grand larceny and offering a false instrument for allegedly stealing campaign donations, the executive has faced several calls for his resignation – to which he refused! But, things are finally looking up for McLaughlin. A jury took all but a few hours to acquit the embattled executive of his charges.
Roland Conner -
Between a stationary shop and a restaurant in the heart of Greenwich Village, you’ll find Smacked! – New York City’s second licensed store to open selling cannabis for recreational use. Perhaps the more important story, however, belongs to its owner, Roland Conner, who’s now a cannabis pioneer years after being incarcerated for marijuana possession as a teen. He’s the state's first “justice-involved” entrepreneur to open such a business and someone who will help pave the path for others who’ve been victimized by New York’s war on drugs.
Ed Mullins -
There are crooked cops, and then there are cops who steal from their own partners in blue. Ed Mullins, the former head of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after being charged with reimbursing himself from the union’s coffers for roughly $1 million in luxury purchases. The profane and ferocious tweeter faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Pat Lynch -
The police union boss can at least say that he’s no Ed Mullins. But Corey Grable says that’s not enough. He’s the Police Benevolent Association financial secretary launching what seems to be a credible challenge to Lynch’s 24-year reign at the top. The PBA has had a cop-friendly mayor in office for more than a year now – and still no contract?
Charles McGonigal -
Making the news as a member of the FBI is rarely a good thing. Sure, you could grace the pages of the newspaper because of a tough case you helped to crack, but history tells us that’s not the case. It certainly wasn’t for Charles McGonigal, a former top FBI official in New York recently charged with taking money from a Russian oligarch. He retired five years ago, and may have even believed he (allegedly) got away scot free. But alas, McGonigal now faces some serious allegations that will doubtless upend his life regardless of how a jury ultimately rules.