A convicted bank fraudster, Michael S. Wachs, recently co-hosted a fundraiser for Westchester County Executive George Latimer, who is running against Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the Democratic primary for the 16th Congressional District. Wachs, who pleaded guilty to bank fraud in 1997 for defrauding Chase bank of $20.8 million, was listed on the host committee for a Latimer event held on March 20 at the Mansion on Broadway in White Plains, Westchester.
Bowman’s campaign spokesman, Lawrence Wang, wasted no time in criticizing Latimer for associating with individuals of questionable backgrounds. Wang stated, “First George Latimer held a fundraiser hosted in a Trump megadonor’s mansion, now he’s holding a fundraiser hosted by a Wall Street fraudster who robbed people blind.” Earlier this year, Latimer had a fundraiser at the home of wealthy insurance mogul and Trump supporter Alex Dubitsky in Larchmont, Westchester.
Latimer’s campaign did not defend or dispute Wachs’ involvement in the fundraiser. Instead, they attempted to shift the focus back to Bowman, a member of “The Squad” and a self-proclaimed progressive. Latimer’s campaign highlighted the fact that the majority of his donors, nearly 75%, come from the Bronx and Westchester, compared to only 9% for Bowman. They also pointed out recent controversies surrounding Bowman, including his praise for known antisemites, promotion of baseless 9/11 truther conspiracies, acceptance of money from Trump donors, and a vote to shut down the government.
Bowman’s past actions and statements have drawn criticism as well. He once argued for the preservation of a mural of Minister Louis Farrakhan in a New York City suburb, despite Farrakhan’s history of making disparaging comments about Jews. Additionally, while serving as a Bronx middle-school principal, Bowman maintained a blog that claimed World Trade Center building No. 7 was destroyed in a controlled demolition, not by the terror attacks. He has also faced controversy for pleading guilty to pulling a fire alarm in a Capitol office building before a House vote and for honoring convicted cop killer and fugitive Joanne Chesimard in his former school’s “hall of honor.”
