The campaign spokesman for embattled ex-Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes says an adviser — whom authorities say was paid out of criminal forfeiture cash — held weekly campaign meetings with the then-DA and top crime-fighting staffers during his failed re-election bid.
Since the city Department of Investigation released a report last month criticizing Hynes for his use of office staff and funds for campaign work, Hynes’ lawyer and people close to Mortimer Matz, 89, have maintained the veteran p.r. man only was paid for public-information work.
But in a sworn deposition Monday, former Hynes spokesman George Arzt testified that Matz attended weekly campaign meetings — which included DA staff — and advised the campaign.
“Was Matz present at all the meetings . . . in the summer of 2013?” lawyer Joel Rudin asked, according to the deposition.
“Most or many,” answered Arzt.
“What was his role?” Rudin asked. “An adviser,” Arzt answered.
“To Mr. Hynes?” Rudin pressed. “To the campaign,” Arzt said.
Arzt also answered, “Yes,” when asked whether Matz “provided campaign advice” at those meetings, held in the Manhattan offices of the court-officers union.
Reached Wednesday, Matz declined to comment.
Arzt was deposed Monday as part of a $150 million lawsuit by a man wrongfully convicted by Hynes’ office, Jabbar Collins, who was locked up for 15 years before he was exonerated.