Queens Tribune

A “community unity” party held Saturday night has raised questions regarding a portion of the community that was not invited – Republicans.

The “United and Merry Holiday Celebration” was organized by Assemblyman Jose Peralta (D-Corona), but the invitation additionally listed fellow Assemblymen Jeffrion Aubry (D-East Elmhurst) and Michael DenDekker (D-Jackson Heights), as well as Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-Corona) and Councilman-elect Danny Dromm.

In addition, it also bore the names of all of the elected Democratic District Leaders for Peralta’s district.

The party was sponsored by two non-profit entities, and the invitation carried Peralta’s District Office phone number for an RSVP. A Peralta spokesman explained that the party was intended for the whole community and that Assembly members are barred from using taxpayer funds for public parties. However, non-profit groups are permitted to fund such parties. Since Peralta is permitted to attach his name to such parties, and it was for the community, listing his office phone number was permissible.

Where the event may cross the line is the fact that the invitation did not name any of the Republican District Leaders, raising the specter of the party being partisan – essentially a campaign event – and therefore being in violation of a variety of election and campaign laws.

If this party is viewed by the State Board of Elections as a political event, then Peralta – and possibly the other Assembly members involved – may have to report the party as a donation on campaign filings. If that is the case, then it puts Ferreras and Dromm in hot water, because Council members are barred by the City Campaign Finance Board from receiving corporate contributions. Neither Ferreras nor Dromm returned calls seeking comment.

If this were a political or campaign event it would also mean that Peralta used his office and staff for a campaign purpose, which could land him in hot water with the Assembly Ethics Committee.

Peralta’s district office was closed Tuesday, though a spokeswoman reached by cell phone who was working from home said the staff was working. Attempts to reach Peralta or his chief of staff to comment on the organization of the party, the lack of Republican representation on the invitation or any possible local or state violations were fruitless. Representatives from both Aubry and DenDekker’s office said Monday that the party was Peralta’s, not theirs.

A prominent Queens Republican who said he is in constant touch with the elected District leaders who represent the three Assembly districts named in the invitation said he didn’t know of any of them being invited to the “unity” party.

Reach Editor Brian M. Rafferty at brafferty@queenstribune.com or call (718) 357-7400, Ext. 122.