Common Cause/NY Reminds Keith Wright He Can't Have it Both Ways

NEW YORK, NY (07/23/2019) (readMedia)-- In response to news that Manhattan Democratic Party Chairman and former State Assemblyman Keith Wright has officially registered as a lobbyist after first failing to file annual financial disclosure forms, and has been lobbying Manhattan lawmakers for the past six months, Common Cause/NY released the following statement:

"For almost three years, Common Cause/NY has said Keith Wright can either be party chairman or a lobbyist but he can't have it both ways," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York. "The opportunities to wield his political position for personal enrichment, or use his position to advance a client's agenda present a clear conflict of interest. He's got to make a choice."

In February 2017, Common Cause/NY, Reinvent Albany and Citizens Union sent the attached letter to the Joint Committee on Public Ethics (JCOPE) requesting an investigation into the legality of Chairman Wright's job at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron. JCOPE has yet to respond.