Man fights ex-girlfriend for custody of their dog.  Does he have a case? Gotham’s David Schwartz gives his legal analysis to NBC’s today

President Obama comes out for gay marriage.  What will this mean of the 2012 election? Gotham founding partner and political consultant Brad Gerstman gauges the same-sex marriage landscape with Former Governor David Paterson on WOR Radio.

Brad Gerstman, Partner at Gotham Government Relations on RNN TV’s Richard French Live talking about Gay Marriage, the 2012 election and more..,

Part 1 Same-sex marriage:

Part 2 What’s going to move the 2012 elections:

Part 3: The Recession, the struggle for college students:

Part 4: The case for kids, what to do about bullies:

Gotham’s David Schwartz lends his legal expertise to NBC’s Today in the child custody case of supermodel Linda Evangelista versus her French billionaire ex-husband.]

Ron Melendi of the New York Tobacconist Association talks to WXRK’s Bob Salter about saving New York small business.

Here’s a closer look at Gotham’s work with Ron and New York small businesses:

Listen with our I-Phone / I-Pad compliant player:

New York Post recently reported that New York Department of Health Commissioner Farley is gearing up for a fight against happy hour. While the claim has been denied by the Department of Health, sources have confirmed that the topic has been discussed. This brings to light the numerous ways Commissioner Farley’s “Take Care New York 2012” foreshadows job loss, the decimation of small business, and the overall attempt to micromanage aspects of everyday life.

Commissioner Farley plans to maintain the incredibly discriminatory high taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products in New York by ensuring “the high price of tobacco products.” New York Taxes Up In Smoke, a group against tobacco tax hikes, cites “New York Tobacco Tax: Drastically Unfair with Misleading Results” – an article co-authored by David Schwartz, Esq. – which details the role high tobacco taxes play in increasing dangerous smuggling activity, eliminating jobs, and leading to the loss of millions in potential tax revenue.

“Commissioner Farley’s policies threaten the very essence of New York. He continuously attempts to micromanage aspects of people’s lives, and this is unprecedented. His support for tobacco tax hikes strike at the heart of small business – punishing luxury, hobby oriented shops by funneling their business to illegal avenues. He is now trying to ruin another American pastime – a pastime notably enjoyed by mature, responsible adults,” says David Schwartz, former assistant Kings Country Assistant District Attorney.

Ineffectiveness of tobacco tax hikes are even acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO notes that “public health and also governments pay a high price because both avoidance and evasion activities undermine tobacco control efforts and cost governments significant revenue losses.” This is especially the case in New York because it is surrounded by numerous low tobacco tax states.

Commissioner Farley has attempted to limit freedom in New York State across numerous fronts. His policies are misguided and ignore many negative ramifications which ultimately hurt the New York economy. New York does not need an overprotective mother figure – nor does it want one. It needs an avenue by which small business can flourish and citizens’ right can be maintained.

Should FCPA Violations Play A Role In The Decision?

Since bribery allegations emerged, Wal-Mart has remained firm in its interest to build in New York City, and it seems confident that it will be successful in its endeavors. Various individuals have also sided with Wal-Mart in its recent troubles with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The New York Neighborhood Alliance, a group representing the best interest of New York’s small businesses, contends that any and all efforts to diminish Wal-Mart’s blatant disregard for the law are unjustified. In addition, the group argues that Wal-Mart’s actions should provide sufficient incentive to bar the conglomerate’s entry into New York City.

Wal-Mart supporters claim that the FCPA is too strict, ultimately inhibiting American businesses from engaging in competitive and commonly accepted bribery practices abroad. The reality is that this argument lacks substance on numerous levels. Arguing unethical dealings should be allowed based on the premise that others engage in them as well is ludicrous. If this defense was commonly accepted in the United States, minimum wage laws would be nonexistent, collusion would be welcomed, and various other laws established to protect the American public would be repealed.

It should also be noted, that America would be sending an irreversible message to the countries of the world if it were to loosen the FCPA regulations and allow Wal-Mart to bypass the FCPA unscathed. America has always been the trailblazer in setting high standards, and in 1977 it was the first to pass this kind of legislation. It eventually led 39 countries following the American example by signing an agreement at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Anti-Bribery Convention.

“Regardless of how many other countries engage in corrupt practices, the law is clear and so is Wal-Mart’s attempt to hide the bribery allegations,” asserts Brad Gerstman, founding partner at Gotham Government Relations & Communications.

“Wal-Mart has devoted much of its time, energy, and capital attempting to better its image in the eyes of New Yorkers. At the end of the day, the accountability promised by Mr. Mike Duke, President and CEO of Wal-Mart, has remained unrealized, and this lack of transparency should play a major role in determining if Wal-Mart should be granted entry into New York City,” says David Schwartz, founding partner at Gotham Government Relations & Communications.

Read more at New York Neighborhood Alliance…

Contact: Ian Poulos Tel: 516-880-8170  Email: ipoulos.gotham@gmail.com 

Mike Levine of the Nephcure Foundation  talks to WFAN about his battle to save lives from nephrotic syndrome and FSGS.

Find out more about Nephcure and how you can help by visiting their site.

Listen here:

Also – Check out this video of Celebrity Apprentice contestant Teresa Giudice giving her $60,000 prize to Nephcure.

Video shot and produced by Gotham Government Relations & Communications.  See more examples of the media advocacy all our clients and pro-bono clients like Nephcure enjoy by working with Gotham. 

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Newsday seeks out Brad Gerstman on Ed Mangano’s  fiscal woes as the embattled County Executive tries to navigate the county’s budget issues.

From Congress to governors’ mansions to the presidential campaigns, immediate and severe debt reduction has become GOP and tea party dogma on par with tax cuts.

In Nassau County, however, Republicans are taking a far different tack.

Republican County Executive Edward Mangano, elected on a tea party wave in 2009, has proposed $850 million in new borrowing in the past year for everything from a new hockey arena to tax settlement payments.

…But Garden City attorney and political consultant Brad Gerstman said municipal officials like Mangano are not held to the same level of ideological purity as national lawmakers. “The closer you get to local government, the less strict it becomes,” said Gerstman, who represents both Republicans and Democrats.

Mangano ran for county executive on the Republican and Tax Revolt party lines, pledging to repeal the home energy tax and to not raise property taxes. He’s stuck to that promise, contending that Nassau families already are burdened by some of the nation’s highest property taxes.

Read more at Newsday

Gotham’s David Schwartz appeared on CNN to discuss the upcoming trial of former senator John Edwards, accused of illegally using campaign contributions to cover up an affair.