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In the build-up and battle for the redevelopment of the Iron Triangle, the Flushing Willets Point Corona Local Development Corporation championed the proposed rezoning and rebuilding of the 62-acre plot of land.

With former Borough President Claire Shulman, 83, at the helm, the corporation actively promoted Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s plan. It initially hired prominent lobbying firm the Parkside Group before advocating the plan to elected officials – and then taking over those duties itself, spending about $450,000 on lobbying efforts.

But a recent story by the The New York Times called into question the legality of Shulman and the LDC’s actions. According to New York State law, an LDC cannot lobby.

Yet the group’s actions fall within a legal purgatory, according to attorneys interviewed by the Tribune. There is no legal precedent for such a case.

“The spirit of the law is meant to go towards paid lobbyists hired to affect legislation,” said Sid Davidoff, President of the Advocacy Association of New York. [For Shulman] “The question is ‘Where’s the prime responsibility?’ It is very gray, and that’s part of the problem.”

The Mayor’s office and the Economic Development Corporation maintain the corporation was hired to perform outreach efforts, while Shulman told the Times lobbying was part of the equation.

While the corporation’s actions are common, several attorneys disagree on the definition of the word “lobby.” Federal, State and City laws vary, each setting thresholds for both financial and interpersonal activity.

“A five minute meeting [with an elected official] does meet the threshold,” Davidoff said. “If you’re attempting to affect legislation, then it is lobbying”

Still, Shulman maintains her innocence.

“The Flushing Willets Point Corona Local Development Corporation is fully registered and in compliance with all laws pertaining to lobbying,” said Robert Bishop, an attorney representing the group.

Adding to the crux, neither Shulman nor the corporation were originally registered as lobbyists. That quickly changed when the City Clerk contacted the corporation. Shulman and the corporation retroactively registered and paid a $59,000 fine as a result.

A complaint brought by Willets Point United, a collective of landowners in Willets Point opposing eminent domain, sparked the controversy.

“Our lawyers informed us that she broke state corporation laws, that she lied to the IRS, filled out fraudulent tax returns,” said Jerry Antonacci, head of WPU. “You can’t tell me this lady is a veteran of politics and doesn’t know the law.”

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office is reportedly reviewing the complaint, but typically does not comment to confirm or deny an investigation.

Antonacci said the group ultimately hopes to have the City Council’s vote overturned.

“Maybe there would’ve been a different result if she didn’t lobby,” he said.

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at lgross@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127