Bill de Blasio Hit With Massive Penalty for Misusing Security Detail During Campaign

Former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio will pay $330,000 for misusing his taxpayer-funded security detail during his failed presidential campaign, marking the first enforcement action against a New York City Mayor by the Conflicts of Interest Board.

Key Insights

De Blasio was penalized for using his NYPD security detail for personal and political purposes during his 2020 presidential campaign.
The settlement requires de Blasio to pay $329,794.20 in restitution plus a $10,000 fine, with $100,000 already paid and the remainder to be paid over four years.
The Conflicts of Interest Board accused de Blasio of misusing his security detail on more than 30 occasions, ignoring previous ethics guidance.
If de Blasio defaults on payments, he would owe the full $475,000 originally assessed.

Security Detail Misuse During Failed Campaign

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has been ordered to pay nearly $330,000 to the city for misusing his NYPD security detail during his brief 2020 presidential campaign. The Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) found that de Blasio improperly used taxpayer funds to cover security expenses while campaigning across the country. The presidential bid was unsuccessful, with de Blasio never polling above 1% before dropping out after just four months on the campaign trail.

The misuse of funds included security expenses for attending personal events, such as a Red Sox game in Los Angeles. According to investigators, de Blasio ignored previous ethics guidance that required him to pay for these expenses himself. The COIB documented over 30 separate occasions where the mayor improperly utilized his security detail, marking the first time the board has taken enforcement action against a sitting or former New York City mayor.

Bill de Blasio fined $330K over public funding of security during failed White House bid https://t.co/z5pvbPFb1p

— The Hill (@thehill) May 14, 2025

Settlement Details and Restitution

After three years of litigation, de Blasio has settled with the Conflicts of Interest Board. The original fine recommended by the city’s Department of Investigation was $155,000, but this was later reduced to $10,000 as part of the settlement. The total restitution amount of $329,794.20 covers travel costs for the NYPD officers who accompanied him during campaign activities, although it does not include their salaries or overtime pay.

De Blasio has already paid $100,000 of the settlement and will pay the remaining approximately $230,000 in quarterly installments of $14,000 over the next four years. The settlement includes a significant deterrent: if de Blasio defaults on any payments, he will be required to pay the full original assessment of $475,000. He had been contesting the reimbursement requirement since 2023 before finally agreeing to the settlement terms.

De Blasio’s Response and Acknowledgment

In public statements following the settlement announcement, de Blasio has acknowledged his error in judgment. The former mayor admitted to disregarding ethics guidance that would have required him to reimburse the city nearly $320,000 for security expenses incurred during his campaign travel. These expenses formed part of the total taxpayer burden that included various personal fees and costs associated with his presidential bid.

“I acknowledge that I made a mistake, and I deeply regret it. Now it’s time to move forward,” de Blasio said on social media.

The case highlights the legal and ethical boundaries that exist for elected officials when they pursue higher office while still serving in their current positions. For de Blasio, the settlement marks the end of a prolonged legal dispute but leaves a significant financial obligation as the consequence of his presidential ambitions.