The family donated $300 to the Hokul campaign headquarters, now the state has given them $367 million
'20.07.2022'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
A New York family donated $300 to Kathy Hokul's campaign and received millions from the state for their business, reports Syracuse.
New Jersey-based electronics wholesaler Digital Gadgets LLC, owned by New York entrepreneur Charlie Tebele, has been paid $637 million in taxpayer money to provide home Covid-19 testing kits. The Hokul-controlled agency made 239 separate payments between December 30 and March 25 without a formal contract or any competitive bidding.
Hokul declared a state of emergency on 26 November. It suspended some public finance laws, including competitive bidding for certain contracts. The state also suspended competitive bidding earlier due to the pandemic, led by the government of Andrew Cuomo.
Hokul withdrew $11 billion from the $220 billion state budget without independent oversight from the State Comptroller's Office.
New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office said they were concerned about the lack of transparency and that control of the $11 billion was left to the executive branch.
Jennifer Freeman, a spokeswoman for the DiNapoli office, said payments for digital gadgets were part of purchase orders that were not submitted for review and approval. Purchased a total of 52 million Covid test kits at $13 per test per order. And for $11,50 in another.
On the subject: Hokul wants to change the affordable housing program in New York: what does it offer
Hokul senior adviser Brian Lesswing said the state thought the price was fair. And it was in the state's interest to stock up on tests during the winter surge of Covid-19. Lesswing said the state has contacted several vendors. Digital Gadgets was the only company that could provide a significant number of tests before schools reopened in January 2022.
But purchases are subject to scrutiny. The fact is that the Tebele family is one of the main donors of the Hokul campaign. Tebele raised over $34 million. Charlie Tebele and his wife Nancy donated $69 each by May. This is the maximum that a person could give Hokul. Five other family members donated additional money. As a result, the total amount was $700.
