Walmart ripped for giving big bucks to pols, gifts to Albany lawmakers up over two-year period

Robert Gearty and Erin Durkin New York Daily News 12/16/2010 16:25

Walmart is eying a site in East New York, Brooklyn, part of the Gateway II shopping center.

Walmart is doling out big bucks to local politicians as it sets its sights on its first New York City store. The retail chain gave $63,500 to state politicians and committees in the past two years, plus an additional $74,500 to New York congressional candidates and their PACs, records show.

The United Food and Commercial Workers union yesterday urged the recipients to give the cash to charity.

"They're spreading money everywhere. It's ridiculous," said Pat Purcell, an assistant to the president of UFCW Local 1500. "They're trying to simply buy their way into New York."

The union wants politicians to pass on their donations to Toys for Tots, noting Walmart reportedly raised its prices on hundreds of toys this month. The big-box retailer denies jacking up prices.

Walmart's gifts to Albany pols - up from $43,355 in the previous two-year period - include $10,000 donations each to the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, the Niagara County Republican Committee and the Committee to Elect a Republican Majority.

Union pressure forced state Senate Democrats to return $15,000 from Walmart earlier this year.