A Democratic district leader is urging state ethics officials to investigate presumptive Queens Assemblyman-elect Brian Romero for posting a GoFundMe campaign that sought public assistance for his rent and other living expenses prior to assuming office.
Rosa Sanchez, a Democratic district leader and Romero's primary election opponent, sent a letter on August 3 to the Legislative Ethics Commission and the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. Sanchez alleged that Romero, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, used his recent primary victory to solicit funds, describing the GoFundMe as "wildly inappropriate, unethical and unlawful."
Romero, who represents the 34th Assembly District encompassing parts of Astoria, Corona, and East Elmhurst, won the Democratic primary in June and faces no Republican opposition. He has since taken down the fundraising page, which had collected over $1,000, following backlash and inquiries.
Sanchez pointed to sections of state law prohibiting public officials from soliciting gifts intended to influence official duties or reward official actions. However, veteran election lawyer Keith Corbett stated that while he had never encountered a candidate appealing for personal bills, such an action was not a violation of the law, as Romero was not yet in office.
Rachel Fauss, a senior policy advisor at Reinvent Albany, suggested that Romero's actions might exist in a legal gray area since he had not yet officially taken office. She recommended that ethics panels consider developing guidance for incoming officials to avoid potential conflicts.
The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG) stated that due to confidentiality restrictions, it could not confirm or deny the existence of any ongoing investigation or whether a complaint had been received.
Romero, who received endorsements from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, State Attorney General Letitia James, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, acknowledged the GoFundMe as a "mistake" and confirmed that he did not keep any of the funds collected before removing the page.
On the GoFundMe page, Romero explained his difficulty in finding work due to his "temporary situation" and stated he had applied for unemployment benefits without receiving them. He mentioned securing a small gig but still needed assistance with rent until he began receiving regular pay.
Romero also noted that he resigned from his position as senior advisor to State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez in March due to state ethics guidance received during his campaign. He stated that he had depleted his savings while awaiting payment from consulting gigs. "To help navigate this next chapter we’ve created a GoFundMe to cover the rest of rent and groceries," he wrote on LinkedIn. "The support from friends, colleagues, and community members so far has been overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful."