Democrat NY State Assembly Speaker, 56, shuts down questions about his blooming relationship with lobbyist, 32, after they were seen together at a football game
- Carl Heastie has reportedly been in a relationship with 32-year-old lobbyist Rebecca Lamorte since November
- But Heastie refused to answer questions about their relationship, claiming there was ‘no conflict’ between his life and his job
New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has declined to comment on claims he is dating a 32-year-old lobbyist after they attended a football game together.
According to him, Heastie, 56, has had a relationship with Rebecca Lamorte, a lobbyist for the Greater New York Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (LECET) union, since at least November. New York focus.
But when asked Monday about the romance and asked if there was a conflict of interest, he closed the questions by saying, “I’m never, let me make that clear again, talking about my personal life.”
He added, “My life will never conflict with my job,” the NY Post reported.
Lamorte and Heastie went to a Buffalo Bills vs. Dallas Cowboys game on December 17 and sat next to Governor Kathy Hochul in the New York special box.
Heastie declined to answer questions Monday about his relationship with Rebecca Lamorte
Lamorte is a lobbyist for the Greater New York Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (LECET) union
Lamorte was listed as a guest on the state register for the event, but she did not list LECET as her employer, saying she was “self-employed.”
Lamorte lobbies in New York on behalf of construction unions and their contractors.
She is also a campaigner for the disabled, having suffered nerve damage following an attack on the subway in 2013, and has criticized the MTA for a lack of public transport accessibility.
She also ran for City Council in the Upper East Side’s 5th District seat in 2020 and lost.
LECET told New York Focus that Lamorte had made them “aware” over the past 30 to 45 days that she was “seeing the speaker.”
They said that when she notified them, she had been “instructed not to lobby the Assembly” or Heastie, and that they were “not aware of any lobbying she has been doing at the Assembly since we have introduced policies.’
So does Heastie told The New York Post on Monday: “I was very clear that there are protocols in place, and that’s all you guys should feel comfortable with.”
There is no specific rule that prohibits a lobbyist from having a relationship with an elected official in the state.
She also advocates for the disabled after suffering nerve damage in her leg in 2013
Heastie said, “I was very clear that there are protocols in place, and that’s all you guys should be comfortable with.”
According to a letter drafted by Heastie’s counsel and seen by the Post, Heastie has agreed not to have in-person meetings with LECET.
The letter reads: ‘Senior employees will reach a consensus decision and submit it to the chairman on any matters specific or unique to such organizations.’
Lamorte is one of four lobbyists listed for LECET in January and February.
The organization campaigns for the use of union workers on construction projects in New York.
Heastie has served in the New York State Assembly since 2001, representing the 83rd District. In 2015, he became Assembly Speaker.
DailyMail.com contacted Lamorte and Heastie for comment.