The co-director of a Bronx “social justice” youth arts nonprofit improperly used his official email to campaign for a Democratic candidate — then canceled a planned event when confronted about the transgression.
Jason Duchin, co-director of DreamYard, sent an email blast Tuesday to boost a town hall event with former state Assemblyman Michael Blake, who’s looking to unseat incumbent US Rep. Ritchie Torres in a June primary.
“Michael is running for Congress to make the Bronx more affordable, safer and fairer to all,” Duchin wrote in the official email of Blake, who sits on DreamYard’s board of directors. “Join us for a Zoom conservation with Michael Wednesday April 22nd from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.”
It’s illegal for the group, which takes in millions of dollars in public funds, to directly be involved in political campaigning.
Duchin fessed up to the improper act when reached by The Post on Wednesday, saying he had goofed by sending the campaign pitch from his work email.
“I know. I screwed up and meant to send it from my personal account,” Duchin said. “Appreciate the heads up.”
He then said he canceled the Blake event.
“I never want to be in a position of there being a perception that my views speak in any way for the organization where I work,” Duchin said. “Because of my email mistake, we have cancelled the event.”
Public records show that DreamYard has a total of five active city contracts with the Departments of Education and Youth and Community Development worth more than $5 million.
The Internal Revenue Service clearly forbids not-for-profit charitable, tax-exempt groups like DreamYard from using resources to directly or indirectly take part in political campaigns.
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“Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity,” the IRS rule states. “Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.”
The Torres campaign declined to comment.
Blake ran in the crowded primary for mayor of the Big Apple last year and previously lost to Torres in the 2020 Democratic primary for Congress.
Torres is seeking a fourth term in the 15th House District that stretches across parts of the south and north Bronx.
The district includes the neighborhoods of Allerton, Bathgate, Baychester, Belmont, Claremont, Fordham, Melrose, Morrisania, Morris Park, Mott Haven, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Tremont, Olinville, Norwood, Highbridge, Van Nest, West Farms, Williamsbridge and Woodlawn.
