NY Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, 56, refuses to address romance with lobbyist, 32: ‘My life will never be in conflict’
State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has reportedly been canoodling with a lovely lobbyist, and it’s all the talk in Albany — but he is refusing to comment on her and scoffs at the notion of a conflict of interest.
The powerful, 56-year-old Dem has been in a romantic relationship with 32-year-old Rebecca Lamorte, a lobbyist and communications coordinator for the union Greater New York Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust, or LECET, since at least November, according to the outlet NY Focus.
Heastie got feisty with reporters when asked about the couple Monday morning, bristling at the suggestion that he should discuss any details.
“I am never, again let me make that clear, addressing my personal life,” Heastie said, ripping into reporters while standing behind a dais after a state budget proceeding.
“I was very clear that protocols are in place, and that’s all y’all need to be comfortable with,” Heastie said, referring to steps his camp says he’s taken to ensure there is no conflict of interest going on.
“My life will never be in conflict with my job,” the pol said.
Lamorte was listed as a guest alongside Heastie and Gov. Kathy Hochul in New York’s special box at the Buffalo Bills stadium during the team’s Dec. 17 slaughter of the Dallas Cowboys.
Lamorte was listed as “self-employed” on the state’s record of who was in the box at the time.
According to a letter drafted by Heastie’s Assembly counsel, the speaker has agreed not to have any in-person meetings with LECET or its counterparts.
“Senior staff will come to and advance a consensus decision to the Speaker for any matters specific or unique to such organizations,” the March 11 letter reads.
Lamorte unsuccessfully ran for City Council in the Upper East Side 5th District seat. She has made a name for herself as a disability activist, fiercely criticizing the MTA and other agencies for their lack of accessibility. Lamorte suffered nerve damage to her leg after she was assaulted on a subway train in 2013.
Lamorte did not reply to a Post request for comment Monday.
