NY Post Produces ‘Homeless Sweep’ Email de Blasio’s Office Said Didn’t Exist

The New York Post is claiming to have proof that an event involving the removal of New York’s homeless from the subway ahead of a trip by Mayor Bill de Blasio did, in fact, happen despite the denial from the Mayor’s office.

The New York Post reported on Sunday that the NYPD was ordered to “sweep” the subways and remove all the homeless people ahead of de Blasio’s four-stop press event so he could have a “clean ride” as he rode from his Park Slope gym to his new re-election headquarters in downtown Brooklyn.

According to the Post, when asked for comment on the alleged homeless removal, de Blasio Press Secretary Eric Phillips said, “These sources are refusing to provide their names because what they are saying is not true.”

Phillips reportedly doubled down on the denial on Monday tweeting that he would “admit it” if the order had been given to police, but maintained that there was not only “Zero evidence” but “Evidence of the opposite, in fact.”

Another de Blasio spokesman, Austin Finan, also claimed that what the report was “saying is not true,” according to The Post.

And during a Monday night TV appearance, de Blasio said he had “no idea if that report is true,” taking an opportunity to take a shot at the NY Post saying, “The outlet that ran it often not factually based.”

But the outlet that is not often factually based seems to be factually correct on this one as the Post appears to have obtained the email sent by a cop at Transit Bureau headquarters instructing NYPD officers to “sweep” the subways for homeless ahead of the Mayor’s trip.

“Before the Mayor arrives at the 4th Avenue station, the officers are to sweep the station for homeless persons as well as the Jay Street station. There will be press at the 4th Avenue station,” the email reads.

The report does not say if the Mayor’s office has responded to the Post’s alleged possession of email proof.

[image via screengrab]