"Brooklyn Councilwoman's Legal Defense Fund Raising Drama"

Arrest and Protest Incident

Susan Zhuang was arrested in July during a protest over a proposed homeless shelter in Bensonhurst. During the commotion, she allegedly sank her teeth into an NYPD cop's arm. This incident sparked widespread attention and led to her facing criminal charges including assault and resisting arrest.

Protestors have been gathering along 86th Street near 25th Avenue daily for over 120 straight days, voicing their opposition to the city's plan to open a homeless shelter nearby. Zhuang has been at the center of this ongoing dispute.

Legal Defense Fund Setup

Zhuang set up a legal defense trust in September. However, as of her latest disclosure filing last month, she had yet to report raising money for it. But that didn't stop her from taking steps to cover her legal expenses.

In August, she shelled out $25,000 from her re-election campaign fund to a high-profile spin shop, Actum, presumably to help rehab her image. And on that Saturday, she resorted to a more unconventional method - having her staffers raise money on the sidewalk.

Fundraising on the Sidewalk

Reps for Zhuang were spotted openly soliciting money and collecting checks at the corner of 25th Avenue and 86th Street. A Post reporter witnessed 20 people fill out paperwork and cut checks over a half-hour period midday on Saturday. Dozens of others had signed in earlier.

It was unclear how much she raised exactly, but a $200 check made to the "Susan Zhuang Legal Defense Trust" was spotted. Organizers were only accepting checks, and those holding hundred-dollar bills were turned away.

Comparison with Other Politicians

Besides Zhuang, indicted Mayor Eric Adams is the only other NYC pol to create a legal defense trust. This controversial mechanism allows elected officials to accept donations similar to political campaigns to pay off legal fees. Zhuang's actions have drawn comparisons and sparked discussions in the political arena.

Zhuang's staff declined to comment, and she didn't return messages, leaving many questions unanswered and the situation more intriguing.