Hell hath no fury like a politician whose wife has been scorned.
The political operative wife of the City Councilman Kalman Yeger (D-Borough Park, Midwood, Bensonhurst), who is seeking to abolish the office of public advocate, was slated for a cushy job with Public Advocate Letitia James before it was determined she was too much of a “diva” in her work demands, according to sources.
While the public advocate office gig never worked out for Yeger’s wife, Jennie Berger, she landed on her feet with a $115,000 a year job in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s patronage-filled administration as a senior advisor in the office of the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Yeger recently made news with his introduction of a bill that would put before voters a referendum to end the office of public advocate. Yeger maintains that eliminating the office, which presides over the city council with no voting rights, and is mostly seen as a watchdog for the city, would free up public money that could be better spent elsewhere.
According to city payroll date, the public advocate’s annual budget is over $3 million and the public advocate’s salary is more than $184,000.
But as KCP first reported in March 2018, Berger, who has a reputation as a top-notch political campaign fundraiser, was set to work for James, having lost her job as the Jewish liason to the city council after her boss, former Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Vivertio, was term-limited out of office.
Sources close to James’ office say the office of public advocate was all set to hire Berger, but refused to meet her “diva” like demands including Berger wanting more money, being able to work from home and to get more days off than anyone else in the office.
Apparently, the de Blasio Administration did meet her demands, however, as she was hired in August under J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives. These areas include working to ensure the continued success and growth of ThriveNYC, the nation’s most comprehensive approach to mental health.
According to de Blasio’s press office she also works with Thompson on programs that fall under the Department of Youth and Community Development, the Department of Small Business Services, the Department of Veterans’ Services, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, and the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development.
But sources say despite the title and portfolio, Berger isn’t seen that much around city hall and it appears as if she has what’s equivalent to a no-show job.
“It’s funny how she [Berger] has a high paying job doing nothing, which deserves scrutiny, while he [Yeger] is out there talking about this culture of wasteful spending in government,” said the source.
Neither Yeger nor his wife returned calls and emails to tell their side of the story.
