New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie Attends Birthday Trip in Rio with Lobbyist and Former NFL Player

New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie took a multiday birthday trip to Rio de Janeiro last month, where he attended a party hosted by former Dallas Cowboy Charles Haley. Heastie was accompanied by lobbyist Patrick Jenkins, who has business interests in New York state. The details regarding who financed the trip remain unclear. Heastie shared several photos from the trip on Instagram, including images from the 'Boys In Brazil Party' event on September 25. Packages for similar trips to Rio can cost between $3,000 and $4,299, excluding airfare. Rachael Fauss, a senior policy adviser with the government watchdog group Reinvent Albany, highlighted New York State’s ethics laws, which limit gifts to public servants and lobbyists to a total of $15. Fauss expressed hope that these rules were being adhered to, given the apparent cost of the trip. The New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government states that state officers and employees are generally prohibited from soliciting or accepting gifts exceeding 'nominal value' from individuals and entities that do business with the state, although there are exceptions for personal friends. Heastie and Jenkins have maintained a close relationship since their college days at SUNY Stony Brook. Jenkins has developed a multimillion-dollar lobbying operation, representing influential groups such as the New York Trial Lawyers Association, Sports Betting Alliance, and Google. Both Heastie and Jenkins did not respond to requests for comment regarding the funding of the trip. Heastie has previously declined to comment on ethics concerns related to a romantic relationship with lobbyist Rebecca Lamorte. The State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government did not respond to a request for comment regarding this matter.