For years, New Yorkers have pegged New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his former primary foe, Christine Quinn, as rivals. But City & State obtained emails between Quinn, now executive director of Win, a nonprofit that shelters homeless women and children, and City Hall that suggest they routinely support one another like friends.
For instance, Lincoln Restler, who does intergovernmental affairs for the mayor’s office, offered to “nudge the right folks” at the city Department of Homeless Services when the city had concerns about one of Win’s shelters. The concerns prompted the administration and Quinn to shift plans for a joint press appearance to a second Win facility. And at another point, Quinn thanked Restler for “finding an internship” while sending him what appears to be an individual’s cover letter and resume. She also frequently gave de Blasio positive publicity: Quinn provided quotes featured in administration announcements about homelessness policies; she told City Hall she would praise their effort to repair shelters in an editorial run on City & State’s Slant platform; and she agreed to “amplify” de Blasio’s message on social media. The correspondence between December 2015 and December 2016 was received in a Freedom of Information Law request. You can read the e-mail transcripts in full below.
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