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Bill De Blasio Ignores Question While Reporter Removed

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

David Krayden Ottawa Bureau Chief
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New York Mayor Bill de Blasio ignored questions while watching security physically remove New York Post reporter Kevin Sheehan from a news event Sunday. As the Post reports, the journalist was attending Manhattan’s Dominican Day Parade when he asked de Blasio about frequent meetings the mayor’s office reprotedly had with lobbyists.

De Blasio did not care to respond to the question but instead stood silently as a two NYPD officers came and removed the reporter from the event.

“Kevin, you have to leave. You can’t be here,” one of the police officers told him.

The Post had featured the lobbyist story and suggestions that it left the mayor’s office vulnerable to charges of favoritism, with a front page that read “City For Sale.”

The security pair hurried Sheehan down the block for a dressing-down from NYPD Public Information Officer Brian Magoolaghan who told the journalist, “Come on, Kevin. No stunts today.”

According to the Post, New York City Hall wasn’t answering any questions about a reported 136 meetings held with lobbyists over a three month period in 2018.

De Blasio’s office wouldn’t even comment on why the reporter was ejected,  suggesting the dismissal was all the NYPD’s idea: “The Department takes appropriate and necessary measures to protect dignitaries, including the Mayor of the City of New York,” read an email to the Post from the mayor’s public relations people.

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