According to the New York Post, Bill de Blasio’s presidential pipe dream just cost New Yorkers a cool $330,000. The former mayor settled with the city’s Conflict of Interest Board for misusing his NYPD security detail during his 2019 campaign flop. Actions, it seems, have consequences.
De Blasio’s 2019 bid for the White House, which never polled above 1%, saw him drag NYPD officers across the country for campaign stunts, racking up nearly $330,000 in taxpayer-funded expenses. From a Red Sox game to a Nevada hike, he treated public funds like his personal piggy bank. The settlement, finalized May 14, 2025, marks the first time the board has cracked down on a New York City mayor.
The Conflict of Interest Board had warned de Blasio that using city funds for campaign security was illegal, but he ignored them. Taxpayers shelled out $490 for seven NYPD officers to watch a baseball game in Los Angeles. De Blasio thought “public service” meant “personal entourage.”
De Blasio’s campaign took 31 trips outside New York City, with NYPD security costs totaling nearly $320,000. Hotel stays, like a $399-per-night Chicago room with a $64 valet fee, blew past federal limits. The board’s 2023 probe found he used the detail for personal gain, against ethics rules.
“I made a mistake and I deeply regret it,” de Blasio said in the settlement. Regret, sure, but only after getting caught. His apology feels as sincere as a campaign promise.
Taxpayers even paid de Blasio’s $45 entrance fee for a midday hike at Red Rock Canyon in Nevada. While he was “finding himself” in the desert, New Yorkers were funding his campaign’s nature break. Woke priorities at their finest.
The settlement slashed a 2023 fine of $155,000 down to $10,000, with de Blasio coughing up $100,000 upfront. He’s on the hook for $14,000 every three months to cover the rest. Default, and he could owe the full $475,000—a pricey lesson in accountability.
De Blasio’s campaign was a four-month disaster, speaking to crowds as small as 15 people. New Yorkers griped he was neglecting city issues while chasing national fame. Yet he still needed a taxpayer-funded security squad for his ego trip.
“This settlement brings to a successful conclusion the first ever enforcement action brought by the Board against a Mayor of the City of New York,” the Conflict of Interest Board stated. It’s a polite way of saying de Blasio’s hubris set a precedent. Good riddance to that legacy.
De Blasio hit the Democratic presidential debate stage in Miami on June 26, 2019, but his campaign never gained traction. Polls showed him stuck at 1% or less, a clear sign voters weren’t buying his progressive pitch. Still, he kept NYPD officers on the road for his doomed bid.
His wife, Chirlane McCray, joined him on those 31 campaign trips, adding to the $320,000 security tab. The couple’s gallivanting ignored the board’s explicit warnings. Rules were for other people.
“I acknowledge that I made a mistake, and I deeply regret it,” de Blasio wrote on social media. He added, “Now it’s time to move forward.” Move forward? Only after taxpayers are repaid for his folly.
The Department of Investigation’s 2023 report laid bare de Blasio’s misuse of his security detail. Over 40 trips saw excessive hotel costs, all billed to the public. This wasn’t oversight; it was entitlement.
New Yorkers, already frustrated by de Blasio’s focus on his campaign over city needs, now bear the cost of his arrogance. The settlement ensures he pays, but the damage to public trust lingers. Woke leadership, it seems, comes with a hefty price tag.
The Conflict of Interest Board’s action is a rare win for accountability. De Blasio’s $330,000 repayment is a start, but it’s cold comfort for taxpayers stuck with the bill for his failed White House run. Maybe next time, he’ll stick to City Hall.
