WORLD WORLDWIDE US USA - New York NY - New York City NYC - THE CITY - Billboard and cab ads seek LA aid. Are they for real?

 

Dear New Yorkers,

As Los Angeles wildfires incinerated homes and displaced families, a campaign across Times Square billboards and thousands of taxi cabs is asking New Yorkers for help.

But the glowing digital advertisements don’t boost any charity providing fire relief. Instead, they direct passersby to donate to the private company of a Los Angeles-based tech entrepreneur, DJ and talent manager Alec Celestin.

The ads promote a donation link to a newly-launched company of the 27-year-old self-described “entertainment and tech disruptor.” On his X account, where his two-word bio is “mini elon,” Celestin posted, “I have found a way to SAVE LOS ANGELES.”

Celestin’s company is not registered as a charity. And though he has not been accused of any wrongdoing or charged with a crime related to his fundraising efforts, Attorney General Letitia James’ office confirmed to THE CITY that it was aware of Celestin’s fund and is looking into it.

The fund’s site claims that $280,781 has been raised, but nearly $270,000 of that appears to have come from Celestin himself. And his Times Square advertising has likely cost him additional tens of thousands of dollars, according to media buyers.

When asked why he spent money on advertisements instead of direct aid, Celestin said in a phone call while staying at a Ritz Carlton in Hawaii, “Let’s remember whose money it is. I spend how I want.”

Read more here about his purported aid efforts for victims of the LA fires.

Weather ☀️

The clouds are clearing: Sunny weather and sliiightly warmer temps, with highs near 40.

MTA 🚇

There’s no A train between Howard Beach-JFK and the Rockaways for the next four months. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s in effect today, Jan. 17.

By the way…

The mayor’s defense fund costs are mounting. Who’s paying his legal bills?

Our Other Top Stories

NYC Comptroller Brad Lander leads in campaign funds raised so far to challenge Mayor Eric Adams. Lander got a boost from public matching funds, which Adams has been denied for a second time. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani (D-Queens) boasts the most individual donors than any other candidate in the race, and raised the most money this filing period than anyone else. The latest figures are the first public reveal of money raised in an already-crowded race. Adams has no campaign office or website. He hasn’t appeared in any candidate forums. And he may not even qualify for public matching funds — in fact, he may need to give $10 million back to the Campaign Finance Board. Instead, Adams seems to be running his campaign effort through his day job at City Hall: being mayor. Oops! Yesterday we linked the wrong story — here’s the right one: On Wednesday, new NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch reversed course on the department’s vehicle pursuit policies, announcing new rules intended to limit the number of dangerous pursuits. The change came after THE CITY first reported in June of 2023 that the number of chases had increased massively on the watch of Adams and then-Chief of Patrol John Chell. Last month, we reported that the number of crashes resulting from those chases has also skyrocketed, along with injuries and deaths. Since then, Chell has been promoted to Chief of Department, and says that police must “stay our hand when the risks to the public and to our cops outweigh the benefits.”

SPONSORED School’s in session: why financial health education matters for students There is a clear connection between financial stress and worse outcomes for students’ mental health and academic success — but a recent report found nearly two-thirds of high school graduates in the United States did not have a grasp of basic financial literacy. As winter break comes to an end and students across New York head back to class, click the link to learn more about how JPMorganChase is helping bridge the financial health education gap for students of all ages across New York City.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Friday, Jan. 17: Hear from Hal Rubenstein, the author of “Dressing the Part: Television’s Most Stylish Shows” about how TV fashion inspires our wardrobe, from “I Love Lucy” to “Schitt’s Creek.” The National Arts Club, 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 - Monday, Jan. 20: Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum with performances, marches, volunteer programs and art projects. Programming starts Sunday at 10:45 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20: The train is leaving the station: Monday is the last day to see the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanic Garden.

THE KICKER: It’s the most wonderful time of the year — Girl Scout Cookie season! Check this map to buy the treats from your local troops.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Friday.

Love,

THE CITY

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