{"id":25173,"date":"2025-08-12T19:27:48","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T23:27:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/multi.nycnewsnetwork.com\/brooklynbuzz\/east-new-york-fury-landers-statement-accused-of-inciting-racist-backlash-against-black-business\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T19:53:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T23:53:10","slug":"east-new-york-fury-landers-statement-accused-of-inciting-racist-backlash-against-black-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nycnewsnetwork.com\/brooklynbuzz\/east-new-york-fury-landers-statement-accused-of-inciting-racist-backlash-against-black-business\/","title":{"rendered":"East New York Fury: Lander’s Statement Accused of Inciting Racist Backlash Against Black Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander\u2019s latest remarks have triggered outrage in East New York, where local officials say he wrongly accused a well-regarded Black and Veteran-owned restaurant of \u201cwasting $750,000 in taxpayer funds\u201d on Department of Education\u2013approved catering contracts. The business in question, Fusion East, now faces threats and serious harm to its reputation\u2014even though it has spent years delivering healthy, affordable meals to over 100 public schools, many in underserved communities.<\/p>\n

A Plea for Assistance Turned Into Public Accusation<\/h2>\n

Fusion East proprietor Andrew Walcott reports that problems arose after he reached out to Lander\u2019s office seeking help with close to $20,000 in unpaid Department of Education invoices. Rather than getting help, he was sent back to the DOE; shortly after, his concern appeared in a public NYC Comptroller statement that depicted his work as wasteful.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is frustrating that a citywide elected official, who has advocated for stronger partnerships with MWBE contractors and claims to support our neighborhoods, would attack a respected local MWBE enterprise with an overstated allegation of waste, distorting the accomplishments of a business with a strong history of excellent service for NYC agencies,\u201d stated Council Member Chris Banks in a media release on NYC Newswire<\/a>. \u201cFusion East has delivered tens of thousands of nutritious meals to students, staff, and emergency responders\u2026 all within the spending limits set by Comptroller\u2019s Directive 6. Comptroller Lander\u2019s messaging shows cultural insensitivity regarding the foods valued in our community and has already led to at least one threat against the business. Such conduct from a citywide elected representative is highly irresponsible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Banks further said the remarks had the \u201coptics of racial bias.\u201d<\/p>\n

Councilman Chris Banks, Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce CEO, Randy Peers at Press Conference – photo credit: NYC Newswire<\/p>\n

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Chris Banks Nikki Lucas and Randy Peers at Press Conference – photo credit: NYC Newswire<\/p><\/div>\n

Community Leaders Detect Political Intent<\/h2>\n

Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas, representing the 60th Assembly District, commented, \u201cBrad Lander\u2019s deceptive statement is shameful. It seems to have unleashed a racist backlash targeting a flourishing Black-owned business in East New York with slander and menacing threats. It appears orchestrated to bring down Fusion East, a restaurant that\u2019s consistently served fair-priced meals to over 100 schools in my district.\u201d
\nLucas went on, \u201cLet\u2019s uplift our local businesses rather than turn them into targets. Fusion East creates jobs and vital dining choices. Yet, Lander’s statement erroneously implied the business earned $750,000 from a single school, which is simply untrue. This detracts from the MWBE initiative he claims to uphold and exposes his hypocrisy\u2026 Ultimately, Brad Lander is profiting from Black suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n

She implied the move was politically motivated, seeking to criticize Mayor Eric Adams for \u201cMayoral oversight\u201d and ignoring the fallout for small businesses. \u201cTargeting a business here means targeting our district,\u201d Lucas declared.<\/p>\n