
More than 50% of his contributions comes from developers, PACs, Lobbyists and Political connections, for a total of $80,690
Developers / Real Estate: $34,000
Political Action Committees: $37,350
Lobbyists: $2,390
Political Connections: $6,950
Developers / Real Estate:
Steve Chon - owner, Spa Castle/The One Hotel/Reception House, now indicted for tax fraud - $2,500
Spa Castle Owners busted for tax fraud
Pools at Spa Castle Shut Down After Girl Nearly Drowns
Challenger’s claim: Vallone favors donors
The Mattone Group (Joe, Carl and Michael Mattone) - one of the biggest developers in Queens - $1,000
Tim O'Sullivan & Family - developing the former "Jewel"/ Cresthaven property in Whitestone with 44 McMansions. Vallone shared a table with him at Whitestone Family Fun Day this year - $3,025
Paul Rifino - notorious developer who tried to build an 8-unit building in an R2A zone by claiming the house was already demolished when it was still occupied (and was building the house around it). When the civic organization went to Vallone for help during his first run in 2009, he (and Chuck Apelian - see below) told them that they would never win against him. They did win, and it was a total victory - $1,400
Joseph Giannola - Bridge Side Development - $3,000
Anthony Riccio Jr. - Harlem River Yard Ventures - $500
PACs:
The usual mix of labor, police and teacher unions are well-represented. The more interesting contributions come from the 8 elected officials who donated from their campaign war chests. 5 of these - Jimmy Van Bramer, Helen Rosenthal, Robert Cornegy, Mark Levine and Corey Johnson, all candidates for Speaker of the City Council - donated a total of $12,250.
Lobbyists:
While the total amount is small - $2,390 - this is due to a campaign contribution limit on lobbyists of $250. What's more interesting are the individuals who donated: Stephen Aiello, the husband of Lorraine Grillo, who tried to dump an 800-seat high school at the former Bayside Jewish Center with Vallone's support; the partners of Paul Vallone's family lobbying firm, Constantinople & Vallone, who made $5,5 million last year lobbying the city for developers and other special interests; Richard Lobel, son of legendary zoning-breaker Sheldon Lobel, whose firm specializes in destroying neighborhoods through helping developers get zoning changes and variances; and none other than the top "Agent of the City" himself, James Capalino.
Political Connections:
This list is a veritable who's who of the usual suspects. This includes the current Chairs of Community Board 7 & 11, Gene Kelty and Christine Haider; two Vice Presidents of Community Board 7, one of whom, Chuck Apelian, is also the President of Vallone's Clinton Democratic Club; two former elected officials, Mark Weprin and John Duane; several district leaders, John Dorsa and Carol Gresser; Austin Finan, a sometimes spokesperson for Vallone who is at Mercury Public Affairs; Ann Jawin, who has received millions of dollars from elected officials for her nascent Women's Center at Fort Totten; and Celia Dosamantes, a former Chief of Staff for an Asemblymember who is now in jail for massive campaign fraud during her 2015 run for City Council.