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tangled web of influence and favoritism has ensnared the city's real estate dealings, with a top deputy commissioner accused of strong-arming a major brokerage to hire his friend. Jesse Hamilton, Deputy Commissioner for Real Estate Services at DCAS, allegedly told Cushman & Wakefield that they would be pushed out as the city's go-to leasing broker unless they assigned Diana Boutross, a close associate and "my broker," to the high-stakes account.

    Boutross, a newcomer to municipal leases with zero experience, was handed the reins of the DCAS portfolio in August 2023. The lucrative deal gives her access to substantial commissions from landlords seeking to secure lease deals for city offices in private buildings. Cushman & Wakefield and Boutross reap commissions from these deals, while the city benefits from having a reliable partner to navigate complex leasing agreements.

    However, JRT Realty Group, a woman-owned brokerage that had long worked with Cushman on lease deals, claims it was unfairly pushed out of the picture. In an amended civil complaint filed by JRT's attorney, Carmine Castellano, the company alleges that Hamilton and Boutross conspired to oust them from the DCAS account.

    The lawsuit reveals a telling lunch meeting between Hamilton, Boutross, and two Cushman executives, where Hamilton introduced Boutross as "my broker." During subsequent meetings with JRT agents, Boutross allegedly asked probing questions about the DCAS business, even claiming she had a "rabbi" who could help navigate the complex leasing process.

    The city's Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and Cushman & Wakefield have yet to comment on the allegations. However, in response to JRT's original complaint, Cushman denied any wrongdoing, citing changes to DCAS' policies aimed at promoting minority- and women-owned businesses.

    Hamilton's handling of city leases has already raised eyebrows among City Council members, including Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn), who is probing a lease deal for city office space at 14 Wall St. that appears to have benefited a billionaire donor to Mayor Adams' legal defense fund. The deal remains under investigation by the city Department of Investigation.