Andrew Stein
Encyclopedia
Andrew Stein was a Democratic
politician who served on the New York City Council
and was its last President, and as Manhattan Borough President
. Stein's father is Jerry Finkelstein, the retired multi-millionaire
publisher of the New York Law Journal
, among other publications. Andrew Stein shortened his name when he entered politics.
Stein attended Southampton College
and was elected to the New York State Assembly
in 1968 and served in that office for nine years. He was well known for his series of public hearings into the management practices of nursing homes in the state.
In 1977, Stein was elected as the Borough President
of Manhattan
, defeating New York City Clerk David N. Dinkins in the primary. Stein defeated Dinkins in the 1981 primary for the borough presidency. He was the Democratic nominee for Congress in the "Silk Stocking District" on Manhattan's East Side in 1984, but was defeated by incumbent Republican Bill Green
. Stein declined a race for a third term as borough president in 1985 to run for City Council President.
As City Council President, Stein served as the presiding officer of the City Council, was acting mayor in the absence or disability of Mayor Edward I. Koch, was a voting member of the New York City Board of Estimate
, and handled constituent and policy issues. Stein derived most of his power from his seat on the Board of Estimate, which was made up of the Mayor
, the City Comptroller
and the City Council President, each of whom had two votes, and the five Borough presidents, each with one vote. Stein was re-elected City Council President in 1989.
In 1989, a decision by the United States Supreme Court declared the Board of Estimate was unconstitutional, in that it violated the principle of "one man, one vote", and a rewriting of the city charter called for the City Council Presidency to be abolished and the office of Public Advocate
to be created as the presiding officer of the Council and first in line of succession to the mayor. The change in duties would occur when Stein's term expired on January 1, 1994.
In 1993, Stein announced he would challenge Mayor Dinkins in the primary. Despite his reputation as a liberal, Stein had tried to get the endorsement of the Republican
and Conservative
parties, but was unsuccessful. Stein later dropped out before the primary and briefly tried a bid for Public Advocate against City Consumer Affairs Commissioner Mark J. Green
, City Councilwoman Susan Alter, and State Sen. David Paterson
, but withdrew from the race after a few weeks.
Stein retired from the City Council Presidency and from public life in the city. Since leaving office, he has pursued private business as a partner in Arapaho Partners, LLC, a business consulting firm based in New York City
.
On May 27, 2010, Stein was indicted and arrested for lying about his involvement during the investigation of the multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme
involving Ken Starr
, a financial advisor to various Hollywood celebrities. He pled guilty and was sentenced to 500 hours of community service.
, lasted from 1983 to 1993 with the couple having two sons: Ben and Jake Stein.
According to a report in the New York Post
on October 10, 2007, Stein had begun dating the conservative writer Ann Coulter
. When asked about the relationship, Stein told the paper, "She's attacked a lot of my friends, but what can I say, opposites attract!" On January 7, 2008, Stein told the Post that the relationship was over citing irreconcilable differences.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician who served on the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
and was its last President, and as Manhattan Borough President
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
. Stein's father is Jerry Finkelstein, the retired multi-millionaire
Millionaire
A millionaire is an individual whose net worth or wealth is equal to or exceeds one million units of currency. It can also be a person who owns one million units of currency in a bank account or savings account...
publisher of the New York Law Journal
New York Law Journal
The New York Law Journal, founded in 1888, is a legal periodical covering the legal profession in New York, United States. The newspaper covers legal news, decisions, court calendars, and legislation, and provides analysis and insight in columns written by leading professionals...
, among other publications. Andrew Stein shortened his name when he entered politics.
Stein attended Southampton College
Southampton College
Stony Brook Southampton is a campus location of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, located in Southampton, New York between the Shinnecock Indian Reservation and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on the eastern end of Long Island. The campus features an innovative curriculum devoted to...
and was elected to the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1968 and served in that office for nine years. He was well known for his series of public hearings into the management practices of nursing homes in the state.
In 1977, Stein was elected as the Borough President
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, defeating New York City Clerk David N. Dinkins in the primary. Stein defeated Dinkins in the 1981 primary for the borough presidency. He was the Democratic nominee for Congress in the "Silk Stocking District" on Manhattan's East Side in 1984, but was defeated by incumbent Republican Bill Green
S. William Green
Sedgwick William "Bill" Green was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New York....
. Stein declined a race for a third term as borough president in 1985 to run for City Council President.
As City Council President, Stein served as the presiding officer of the City Council, was acting mayor in the absence or disability of Mayor Edward I. Koch, was a voting member of the New York City Board of Estimate
New York City Board of Estimate
The New York City Board of Estimate was a governmental body in New York City, responsible for budget and land-use decisions. Under the charter of the newly amalgamated City of Greater New York the Board of Estimate and Apportionment was composed of eight ex officio members: the Mayor of New York...
, and handled constituent and policy issues. Stein derived most of his power from his seat on the Board of Estimate, which was made up of the Mayor
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
, the City Comptroller
New York City Comptroller
The Office of Comptroller of New York City is the chief fiscal officer and chief auditing officer of the city. The comptroller is elected, citywide, to a four-year term and can hold office for three consecutive terms. The current comptroller is Democrat John Liu, formerly a member of the New York...
and the City Council President, each of whom had two votes, and the five Borough presidents, each with one vote. Stein was re-elected City Council President in 1989.
In 1989, a decision by the United States Supreme Court declared the Board of Estimate was unconstitutional, in that it violated the principle of "one man, one vote", and a rewriting of the city charter called for the City Council Presidency to be abolished and the office of Public Advocate
Public Advocate
Public Advocate is a governmental position similar to an ombudsman. Depending on the jurisdiction it can be an elected or appointed position.-See also:* New York City Public Advocate...
to be created as the presiding officer of the Council and first in line of succession to the mayor. The change in duties would occur when Stein's term expired on January 1, 1994.
In 1993, Stein announced he would challenge Mayor Dinkins in the primary. Despite his reputation as a liberal, Stein had tried to get the endorsement of the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and Conservative
Conservative Party of New York
The Conservative Party of New York State is an American political party active in the state of New York. It is not part of any nationwide party, nor is it affiliated with the American Conservative Party, which it predates by over 40 years....
parties, but was unsuccessful. Stein later dropped out before the primary and briefly tried a bid for Public Advocate against City Consumer Affairs Commissioner Mark J. Green
Mark J. Green
Mark J. Green is an author, public interest lawyer and a Democratic politician who lives in New York City. He worked with Ralph Nader from 1970-1980, eventually as director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch, and is also the former president of Air America Radio .He was New York City Consumer...
, City Councilwoman Susan Alter, and State Sen. David Paterson
David Paterson
David Alexander Paterson is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of New York, from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure he was the first governor of New York of African American heritage and also the second legally blind governor of any U.S. state after Bob C. Riley, who was Acting...
, but withdrew from the race after a few weeks.
Stein retired from the City Council Presidency and from public life in the city. Since leaving office, he has pursued private business as a partner in Arapaho Partners, LLC, a business consulting firm based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
On May 27, 2010, Stein was indicted and arrested for lying about his involvement during the investigation of the multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme
Ponzi scheme
A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to its investors from their own money or the money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from any actual profit earned by the individual or organization running the operation...
involving Ken Starr
Kenneth I. Starr
Kenneth Ira Starr is a former American certified public accountant and attorney convicted of running a $30 million Ponzi scheme with the money of numerous wealthy and celebrity clients...
, a financial advisor to various Hollywood celebrities. He pled guilty and was sentenced to 500 hours of community service.
Personal life
Stein has been married twice: He and his first wife have one daughter named Paige. Stein's second marriage to attorney, Lynn ForesterLynn Forester de Rothschild
Lynn Forester, Lady de Rothschild is the chief executive officer of E.L. Rothschild, a holding company she owns with her third husband, Sir Evelyn Robert de Rothschild, a member of the Rothschild family...
, lasted from 1983 to 1993 with the couple having two sons: Ben and Jake Stein.
According to a report in the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
on October 10, 2007, Stein had begun dating the conservative writer Ann Coulter
Ann Coulter
Ann Hart Coulter is an American lawyer, conservative social and political commentator, author, and syndicated columnist. She frequently appears on television, radio, and as a speaker at public events and private events...
. When asked about the relationship, Stein told the paper, "She's attacked a lot of my friends, but what can I say, opposites attract!" On January 7, 2008, Stein told the Post that the relationship was over citing irreconcilable differences.