Follow The Money – Dov Hikind’s Expensive Year

BORO PARK – Former Assemblyman Dov Hikind spent more campaign money as an outgoing lawmaker than he did two years ago during an election year.

The 18-term assemblyman bulldozed through $145,528.17 during his final year in office of which more than $99,000 was spent after his April 2018 announcement not to run for re-election. Nearly $80,000 was spent after July 15, including a large chunk for lawyer fees.

Campaign finance records show a $30,000 payment to Troutman Sanders, LLP for legal services. The law firm did not respond to questions as to when their services were rendered, but campaign finances records indicate the payment was made on July 24, 2018.

The payment comes after retainer fees initially paid in January 2018 and amounting to nearly $30,000 were returned to Denton US LLP. The original payment to Denton came within a month after Feds subpoenaed Bikur Cholim Chesed Organization, also known as Guardians of the Sick Hikind and his sons were closely associated to, according to a New York Post article.

Hikind did not respond to request for comment.

Additionally, the 18-term ex-lawmaker doled out more than $40,000 in consulting fees in 2018. His $13,500 in charitable contributions were consistent with that of the year before with contributions to several agencies, including Shmira Public Safety.

The ex-lawmaker also spent more than $130,000 in 2017 — a non-election year — but it’s worth mentioning $68,000 was paid to Strooker and Strooker as a “final payment for 2014 lawyer fees.”

In 2016, the last time Hikind was re-elected, he spent 84,677.91 during the campaign period. He ran unopposed.

He leaves $385.199.24 in campaign funds as of Wednesday, Jan.23, 2019.