Fatboy SSE hands out $20 bills at Paterson candidate's headquarters; opponents cry foul

PATERSON – An entertainer’s distribution of cash at mayoral contender Pedro Rodriguez's campaign headquarters during a rally for Fetty Wap’s endorsement is drawing fire from Rodriguez’s political rivals.

The entertainer, Fatboy SSE, was one of several local celebrities— including Fetty Wap — who attended the event on Sunday night to show their support for the candidate. At one point, Fatboy SSE held a thick wad of money and was giving out $20 bills.

“He’s a social media celebrity,” said Rodriguez. “It’s part of his act. It’s something he has done many times.”

There are at least seven YouTube videos showing Fatboy SSE handing out money, with recipients including children on the street, homeless people and students in Jamaica.

But Henry Sosa, campaign manager for Alex Mendez, one of Rodriguez’s opponents in the six-man race, said he plans to file complaints with state and federal election authorities.

“You can’t hand out money at campaign rallies,” said Sosa. “It’s illegal. There’s nothing gray about it. You are trying to get people to vote for you by handing out stacks of cash.”

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Rodriguez said he did not know that Fatboy SSE would be giving out cash and said the money was not connected to his campaign. Rodriguez said he learned about the $20 bills after seeing a video on Monday. He said Fatboy was giving the money to children at the rally.

“This wasn’t planned,” said Rodriguez.

Fatboy SSE, a comedian who also sings, could not be reached for comment. Rodriguez said the entertainer was on tour and not readily accessible. A photo from the event published on NorthJersey.com shows him holding a thick stack of money as a child in front of him holds a $20 bill. It’s not clear what, if anything, Fatboy SSE said to people when he gave them money.

Joe Donohue, a spokesman for the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, called the distribution of the cash at the campaign event “unsual,” but said he could not comment on the details of what transpired.

“If someone feels there was a violation, they can certainly file a complaint,” said Donohue.

Sosa said Rodriguez’s familiarity with Fatboy SSE’s “act” shows the candidate should have anticipated that the performer would give out cash at the event.

“Pedro should have expected it and told him not to do it at his headquarters,” said Sosa.

Other mayoral candidates also saw problems with the cash distributed at the political rally.

“We’re looking to move away from the culture of corruption,” said Andre Sayegh. “There’s no place for cash in the elections.”

“It does seem that should not have happened,” said William McKoy. “You’ve got to be careful with what’s happening in your campaign, particularly in your campaign headquarters.”

“It’s problematic,” said Michael Jackson. “Twenty dollars? Your vote is worth more than that.”

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Jackson said he once tried to get Fatboy SSE to attend an event but decided the entertainer’s fee was too high. “Fatboy doesn’t appear without being paid,” said Jackson.

Jackson said he believed the payment also covers cash that the performer gives out to people attending events. He said it’s likely the bills Fatboy SSE gave out on Sunday were part of his fee.

“It all comes back to Pedro,” said Jackson.

But Rodriguez said he did not pay any of the entertainers from the endorsement rally. Rodriguez said his campaign bought the ice cream given out to children at the event and paid $1,000 for extra security provided by off-duty Paterson police officers.