$$ for Fulani on Hold

NY Post/September 2, 2005
By Stefan C. Friedman

The Bloomberg admin istration has put off a $240,000 grant to the Lenora Fulani-backed All Stars Project until investigations into abuse allegations against the group are resolved, City Confidential has learned.

The politically charged three-year contract from the Department of Youth and Community Development was slated to be the first direct city funding to the Fulani program, which provides after-school theater programs for kids.

The closely watched contract has significant political implications because Fulani is a key player in the Independence Party — and Mayor Bloomberg is running on the party's ballot line in the November election.

The ballot line is considered vital to the Republican mayor's re-election, because it gives Democrats a way to support Bloomberg without having to pull the GOP lever.

Critics have charged that Fulani has made anti-Semitic statements in the past and blamed America for the 9/11 attacks. Some politicians shun her.

The All Stars had passed a routine city background check, despite allegations of child abuse by former All Stars worker Molly Hardy and revelations from state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer that he was investigating the nonprofit's financial status.

City Hall sources said earlier yesterday that the contract was getting a green light because Spitzer hadn't found any charges credible. But those officials halted awarding the contract after Spitzer's office told The Post the investigations were ongoing.

The city Department of Investigation and the Administration for Children's Services are also looking into the All Stars.