New York City Republican leaders are now squirming over their fawning support of Wall Street actor-financier Thomas Belesis — whose brokerage firm faces multiple regulatory probes over alleged misdeeds.
The GOP county chairmen of the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn all honored Belesis, owner of John Thomas Financial, as their “Businessman Man of the Year” during county fund-raising bashes over the past three years.
The hosannas for Belesis came as he pumped $160,000 in contributions to the state Republican Party and city GOP campaign committees, Board of Election records show.
Belesis also wooed party leaders with invitations to the Havana Club on his corporate card, sources said.
GOP leaders allied with Belesis stood by him yesterday — at least publicly.
“It’s unfortunate what I read in the newspapers. I’ve known Tommy to be an honorable man. I’m confident he will be exonerated,” GOP leader Dan Isaacs said.
Another GOP leader, Jay Savino, who spoke to Belesis yesterday, said he was a “close personal friend” and a “stand-up guy” who was being unfairly smeared by disgruntled ex-employees.
Meanwhile Belesis will continue to be “active and supportive of the Republican Party,” said his spokesman, David Pitts.
Belesis has maintained he did nothing wrong.