Dailynews:

The real estate industry is pouring thousands into Councilman David Yassky’s congressional campaign – including two controversial developers….Joshua Guttman and the Kestenbaum family are just two of the land barons who have given more than $50,000 to Yassky. After Guttman’s Greenpoint Terminal Market went up in flames in a suspicious fire last week, Yassky returned a $500 contribution. Guttman has denied involvement in the fire, the city’s largest since 9/11…..Guttman and the Kestenbaums also have contributed to other politicians – including Sens. Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer, City Councilman Simcha Felder, former presidential candidate Al Gore and former vice presidential candidate Jospeh Lieberman. Williamsburg preservationists also pointed to the Austin, Nichols & Co. warehouse at 184 Kent Ave., which the City Council voted not to give landmark status to in November. As representative of the district, Yassky was the force behind the nonlandmark vote. The building is owned by brothers Louis and Moshe Kestenbaum – who in 1991 pleaded guilty to a scheme to sell cosmetics and groceries intended for the former Soviet Union. Instead, the Kestenbaums and three others were convicted of illegally selling them in the U.S. for a $4 million profit. In the last two years, Yassky has gotten a total $2,100 from Louis Kestenbaum’s son, Joel, and $3,000 from two Kestenbaum business associates. Yassky officials said he was unaware of the Kestenbaums’ crimes……..