New York state attorney general hopeful Kathleen Rice flies nice in donor Adam Katz's plane

Glenn Blain New York Daily News 07/19/2010 15:55

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice is running for state attorney general.

Campaign travel doesn't have to be grueling. Democrat Kathleen Rice has proved that over the past three months. The Attorney General wanna-be traveled aboard "boutique, luxury aviation" provided by a campaign donor who handed over one of his plush private planes.

Adam Katz, founder of Long Island-based Talon Air Inc., has donated $14,668 worth of air travel to Rice's campaign since May, according to her most recent financial disclosure statement.

The contributions were funneled through Splendor Air Charters LLC, which Katz formed days before Rice - the Nassau County district attorney - first used his aircraft on May 21.

"It's one more sorry example of why our laws are so lax and reform is needed," said Dick Dadey of good-government group Citizens Union.

By routing the money through Splendor, Katz was able to skirt the state's $5,000 limit on corporate campaign contributions. Under a loophole in state law, limited liability companies are allowed to donate up to $55,900.

The plane - a Cessna 208B - was used three times for trips upstate.

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