Metro

Blunt-talkin’ Lhota

While serving as the top deputy to former Mayor Giuliani, Joe Lhota (inset) urged the chancellor of the City University to expel students editors of the Hunter College newspaper who published disquieting pictures of Jesus crucified on the cross and wearing a condom.

In a strongly worded, Dec. 18, 1998, letter to interim CUNY Chancellor Christoph Kimmich, Lhota said former Treasury Secretary William Simon had written to Giuliani describing the photos as disgusting and demanding action.

“We share the outrage expressed in the letter and the concern that CUNY has not responded by taking a firm stand against this insulting display of ignorance and intolerance,” Lhota informed Kimmich.

Lhota called on the chancellor to follow Simon’s advice by imposing the harshest disciplinary measure possible — “expulsion for the students and termination for the production manager.”

The letter was unearthed by The Post in the Municipal Archives, which is sure to be swarming with “oppo” researchers once Lhota officially declares his candidacy for mayor on the Republican line later this month.

But political rivals are in for a surprise if they think all of those who had run-ins with the Giuliani crew are ready to dump on Lhota.

Even some on the receiving end of Lhota’s most pointed barbs say they like the former MTA chairman and are impressed by his direct style.

Kimmich recalled Lhota as an official who was “straightforward and did not mince words. He not only talked straight, but he was willing to listen. I liked him.”

Asked about Lhota’s entry into the race for City Hall, Kimmich concluded, “We could do worse for a mayor.”

Longtime government watchdog Gene Russianoff offered a similar assessment.

“I’ve always liked the guy,” he said. “He might give you an earful, but you could talk to him.”

Those are mighty strong words of praise, considering Lhota told off Russianoff in a letter dated Nov. 9, 1998, soon after the two clashed over a Charter Revision Commission.

“After a 60% majority voted affirmatively on the Commission’s work, isn’t it a little bit arrogant (even for you) to spout off?” Lhota wrote. “I encourage you to apprehend your hubris and rethink your definition of democracy.”

Lhota was equally blunt in a Sept. 24, 1998, letter to Lew Eisenberg, then the chairman of the Port Authority.

Lhota said the city would demand full property taxes from anyone who ended up buying the World Trade Center, which the PA was peddling at the time.

“It is well known to everyone in New York,” he lectured the PA boss, that the bi-state agency “favors New Jersey at the expense of New York.”