NYC Mayor: Morales distances herself from ex-employer

[brooklynite]

Politico

DIANNE MORALES has sought to position herself as the first choice for progressives in the New York City mayor’s race. But as she gains momentum in the left wing of the party that has swept through city politics in recent years, her career as an executive at a nonprofit developer with a less-than-sterling reputation has raised misgivings among the groups Morales hopes to court. Until recently, the candidate has declined to publicly address the developer’s shortcomings. Phipps Neighborhoods, where Morales spent roughly the last 10 years as CEO, is the social services arm of Phipps Houses, one of the city’s largest affordable housing developers. The development side of the nonprofit makes regular appearances on an annual “worst evictors” list put out by tenant groups. It’s come under fire from activists and politicians over poor conditions in its buildings and it’s clashed with unions over its labor practices.