The commissioner of the city’s Department of Investigation has recused himself in the ongoing probe of Mayor de Blasio’s campaign fund-raising because of his previous role as the mayor’s campaign treasurer.
DOI Commissioner Mark Peters was de Blasio’s treasurer during the 2013 campaign.
His agency is currently involved in an ongoing probe by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney of the mayor’s fund-raising.
Late Friday, Peters issued a statement saying to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest, he was bowing out of DOI’s probe:
“As has been reported, the Department of Investigation, in conjunction with its law enforcement partners, is investigating allegations related to certain campaign donors,” the statement read.
“In order to avoid the appearance of a conflict, the commissioner has recused himself from these matters.”
DOI also separately said that Peters is recusing himself from a probe of the administration by four separate investigative bodies over a controversial real estate deal on the Lower East Side.
