Both candidates for city controller have taken campaign contributions from bankers whose firms manage city pension funds – though one returned some of the cash this month.

The next controller – likely to be the winner of next week’s Democratic runoff between Councilmen John Liu and David Yassky – will oversee the five public pension funds that manage $80 billion in employee retirement savings.

“A lot of these contributions do raise eyebrows,” said Dick Dadey of watchdog Citizens Union.

“The question is: Would these contributors be interested in giving to controller candidates were it not for their business interests?”

The Daily News found $32,650 in contributions to Yassky – most of which came in before new restrictions were enacted in 2008 limiting people doing business with the city to $400. Yassky vowed to return $100 to a banker who gave $500 last month.

Source: NY Daily News Continue Reading This Article Here