Mystery Solved: Kruger Paid for Coney Island Protest

The Daily News' Jotham Sederstrom has solved a Coney Island mystery. State Sen. Carl Kruger say that he "dipped into his campaign coffers and spent 'several thousand' dollars to bus more than 400 residents who stormed the city's Coney Island redevelopment meeting." Kruger paid for 10 school buses, bought hundreds of hats and printed leaflets. (There have also been many suggestions that some of the protesters themselves were paid to attend.) Per Mr. Sederstrom's article:

"I paid for it all out of my campaign fund," said Kruger, whose move forced city officials to cancel the jam-packed meeting at Coney Island Hospital.

"I bought the hats, made the signs, printed the leaflets and paid for the buses. I financed the entire thing.

"Nobody knows how much [the redevelopment is] going to cost, who's going to do it or when it's going to get done," said Kruger. "Quite frankly, Coney Island and Brighton Beach residents are too old to buy green bananas, to buy into failed promises and dashed dreams."

According to state campaign finance regulations, campaign committee spending has to be related to running for office or holding public office. No complaints have been filed, but any that are will be investigated.