De Blasio, Under Fire For Legal Bill, Defends Home Renovations

NEW YORK CITY — A longstanding $300,000 debt Mayor Bill de Blasio owes a prominent law firm twice bit him this week.

First, opponents of a controversial rezoning for the New York Blood Center argued de Blasio's debt to Kramer, Levin & Naftalis — which also represents the blood center — is a potential conflict of interest, given the mayor's support for the project.

Council Member Ben Kallos, who opposes the Blood Center rezoning, told the New York Daily News that the firm allowing de Blasio to let his bill go unpaid seemed like a "gift" or "bribe."

And then a reporter from the New York Post on Wednesday asked why de Blasio embarked on a renovation of his Park Slope home while leaving the years-old debt unpaid.

“I need a place to live,” de Blasio said, laughing.

But de Blasio's laughter belied his evident frustration over being questioned over the debt.

The 2017 legal bill stems from Kramer Levin's work representing de Blasio in several probes related to his fundraising. It resurfaced in reports by THE CITY on his outstanding debts as he mulls a run for governor.

THE CITY estimated that the actual debt could come out to $435,000 or more if the firm charges de Blasio interest on the time it has been past due.

All told, it's a substantial amount of debt hanging over the head of a prominent politician.

De Blasio, when asked about Kallos's "bribe" characterization comment Wednesday, called it "inappropriate" and "unfair."

He again promised Wednesday that he would pay the debt, calling it a "part of life" and implied donors would help him pay.

"Realistically, I don't, you know, I hope you know enough about me by now to say I do not have a lot of extra resources kicking around," he said. "I'm not like my predecessor, so I would have to raise the money."