Randy Mastro’s own supporters were skeptical the controversial litigator can secure confirmation to become the city government’s next top attorney after he underwent a grueling City Council nomination hearing Tuesday.
Mastro, a white-shoe attorney who served as a top official in ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s administration, was tapped by Mayor Adams in July to become the city’s corporation counsel even though dozens of Council members had for months vowed to block him from the job by voting down his nomination.
At a confirmation hearing on his nomination, Council member after Council member excoriated Mastro’s record of championing conservative causes in court and advancing Giuliani’s agenda, indicating he’s highly unlikely to be confirmed for the job.
As the grilling entered its sixth hour, ex-Gov. David Paterson and a group of other prominent government veterans who have been supportive of Mastro’s nomination and attended the hearing gathered outside the Council chamber to hold an impromptu press conference.
When asked by the Daily News if they think Adams should withdraw the Mastro nomination given the intense pushback, Paterson and the others said “no” in unison.
Paterson conceded, though, he finds it highly unlikely Mastro can actually win confirmation.
“When you’re in that kind of position, you really have to go down with the ship,” Paterson said of why he still thinks Adams shouldn’t rescind the nomination. “For him to pull the nomination now would really make Randy look bad, and Randy should never look bad.”
The Mastro supporters, who also included Giuliani administration alum Fran Reiter, were supposed to testify at the hearing, but they accused Council members of “delay tactics” to block them from speaking.
“It’s just one of the worst hearings I’ve ever been at,” said Paterson, who served as governor between 2008 and 2010.
Veronica Moyé, Mastro’s law partner who was also at the press conference, said she was “incredibly frustrated” over the hearing.
“He is not the person that’s being painted in that room,” she said.
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