Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio received a substantial fine of $475,000 for utilizing city resources inappropriately during his 2020 presidential campaign. The New York City Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) levied the penalty after determining that de Blasio improperly used city funds to cover the travel expenses of his NYPD security detail during campaign events in 2019. These expenses encompassed lodging, car rentals, airfare, and meals.

The COIB mandated that de Blasio reimburse the city nearly $320,000, in addition to a separate fine of $155,000. This constitutes the largest fine ever issued by the board and represents the most stringent penalty they have imposed. De Blasio's presidential campaign, launched in May 2019, lasted until September 2019, ultimately ending due to low polling numbers.

Early in his campaign, the COIB cautioned de Blasio that while the city could cover officers' salaries and overtime, paying for travel expenses would be a misuse of resources. Documents reveal that the NYPD security detail incurred costs of $319,794.20 across 31 campaign-related trips. De Blasio received a $5,000 fine for each out-of-state trip, totaling $155,000.

The COIB clarified that while the city has a legitimate purpose in funding the mayor's NYPD security detail, including salary and overtime, covering travel expenses for a presidential campaign is not a permissible use of city funds.

De Blasio, through his lawyers, issued a statement contending that the COIB's decision is unconstitutional and jeopardizes the safety of elected officials. His legal team argued that the ruling deviates from established NYPD policy and disregards the expertise of law enforcement agencies. They emphasized that mayors are entitled to protection, and the COIB's decision infringes upon this right.