Mayor says city will investigate Whitestone Republican Club’s maskless dance party

Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city sheriff and other agencies would investigate after the Whitestone Republican Club held a maskless bash in Little Neck earlier this month. The club is led by City Council candidate Vickie Paladino (pictured dancing). Image via Twitter/Matt Binder

By David Brand

Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city sheriff and other agencies will investigate a Queens restaurant and Republican club after video emerged Monday of maskless members, including a city council candidate, flouting COVID rules at an indoor holiday party earlier this month. 

At least 50 people attended the Whitestone Republican Club annual holiday party Dec. 9 at Il Bacco Ristorante in Little Neck, where they danced and sang to the Bee Gees on video shared on social media. 

As first reported by the Eagle, Council District 19 candidate Vickie Paladino was filmed leading a conga line at the party. Neither she nor anyone else on the dance floor wore a mask, despite rules at the time mandating that restaurant visitors cover their faces unless they are sitting at a table eating.

“Anyone who violates the state rules, we're going to go deal with, and we have been,” de Blasio told NY1 Monday night in response to a question about the Eagle article. “We've been giving out really serious fines up to $15,000 to people who organize events or host events. We'll keep doing that.”

“So, I'm certain the sheriff and other city agencies are going to follow up,” he added. 

Whitestone Republican Club spokesperson Robert Hornak disputed that any infractions occurred. The event took place before the state reimposed an indoor dining ban, he said Monday. Before Dec. 14, restaurants could open their dining room at 25 percent capacity.

“We held an intimate gathering observing all the COVID guidelines in place at the time,” Hornak said. “Every attendee was told to wear a mask, and everyone had one when entering, or was given one.”

“That party was absolutely not in violation. We did exactly as we were told,” added Il Bacco owner Tina Marie Oppedisano.

Paladino did not respond to requests for comment.

At least one of Paladino’s potential general election opponents took the opportunity to bash her candidacy after watching the viral video.

Austin Shafran, one of five Democrats vying to represent Council District 19, criticized his Republican rival as “irresponsible and disrespectful” for ignoring COVID regulations as cases rise in New York City. He would denounce Democrats for the same activities, he added.

“Just think of how many seniors, people with medical conditions, children and essential workers could be exposed by this selfish behavior,” Shafran said.

“For a candidate to be a part of this parade of negligence shows that being on a ballot doesn’t make you a leader. Caring about others and having common sense does.”