Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, staff largely MIA from NYC officeBy Carl Campanile, Steven Vago and Bruce Golding
March 7, 2023
Need help from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams? Good luck with that!
Williams was elected in 2019 to head a $5 million-a-year office that’s supposed to assist New Yorkers with complaints about government-related services and regulations.
But he and his staff have been largely missing in action since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, with Williams allowing dozens of employees to continue working from home after lockdowns were lifted.
On Tuesday, The Post visited the Public Advocate’s Office in Lower Manhattan and found mostly empty cubicles, with just five workers sitting at their desks out of a staff of 59.
And anyone who tries calling Williams’ main “constituents” line gets a recorded message that says, “Our office is currently working remotely.”
“Due to higher than normal call volume, an associate will respond to your call within three to five business days,” the message adds.
The situation led to outrage on social media, with Jennifer Harris of Victims Rights NY retweeting a photo of Williams at a parade in Queens.
“His staff can’t go to the office but he can go to parades,” Harris wrote, adding sarcastically, “Thank you for your hard work.”
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Source:
https://nypost.com/2023/03/07/jumaane-williams-staff-largely-mia-from-public-advocates-office/
