Lefties get away with all manner of corruption

Continuing contempt of court

When a judge last month found the Working Families Party's campaign arm, Data & Field Services, in contempt of court for refusing to sever its ties with the union-puppet party, we said neither entity would ever learn a lesson without stiff sanctions.

Now DFS has just proved our point.

Last week, the for-profit company -- which, as The Post first reported, was set up as a de facto funnel for illegal union contributions to WFP-endorsed candidates -- told state Supreme Court Justice Anthony Giacobbe to take a hike.

In an affidavit, DFS Executive Director Michael Boland says "it would be difficult for DFS to function" if he were ousted and the group forced to give up the office space it shares with the WFP.

Giacobbe insists that's precisely what's required under terms of an agreement crafted to settle a lawsuit contending that the WFP-DFS relationship gave unfair advantage to the party's candidates.

But the judge agreed that they are still violating the settlement's requirements that DFS shed "all relevant connections" to the WFP, displaying repeated instances of "contumacious behavior" in the process.

Former Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, who represented the plaintiffs, notes that Boland's statement "speaks volumes about the WFP's continuing stranglehold over DFS."

As The Post first disclosed, DFS would drastically undercharge the WFP's candidates for a range of electoral campaign services, allowing them to skirt legal spending limits.

Boland insists that several fig-leaf changes to DFS' operation -- like substituting some board members -- is enough to demonstrate the company's alleged independence from the WFP, its biggest client.

And he maintains that he never would have signed the settlement if he thought it meant he would lose his job and DFS its convenient office space.

Up till now, Giaccobe hasn't been buying it. Back in April, he wrist-slapped DFS with a $250 fine but held out the possibility of more, and larger, penalties if it remained in further contempt.

Well, Boland's affidavit is about as contemptuous as it comes.

As we said last month, it's time for a really stiff fine -- one that threatens DFS' continued existence.

What about it, Judge Giacobbe?