Manhattan Dems Speaker's Majority Whip Snared in 'Deadbeat' Extortion Case Scandal

NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin's controversial choice of Kamillah Hanks as Majority Whip ignites lawsuit scandal and political collapse

Feb. 26, 2026 at 2:07am

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A lawsuit alleging that NYC Council Majority Whip Kamillah Hanks and her husband Kevin Barry Love failed to pay an attorney $86,000 in legal fees has sparked a political crisis for Council Speaker Julie Menin. The lawsuit paints an ugly picture of Hanks's rise to power, including accusations of off-the-books campaign cash and threats of extortion. The case has also exposed conflicts of interest in the Manhattan judiciary, with the judge presiding over the case being married to the Manhattan Democratic Party chair. The scandal has the potential to fuel a takeover of the Manhattan Democratic machine by the city's Democratic Socialists of America faction.

Why it matters

The Hanks saga is not just an isolated tale of one lawsuit, but a live grenade rolling around the foundations of New York's Democratic machine. The case shines a floodlight on the cozy interconnections between the Manhattan Democratic old guard, personified by figures like Menin, Hanks, former Assemblyman Wright, and party chair Minerva. The implications extend far beyond one court case, as the Manhattan Democrats are already split by an ideological civil war between the old-guard club and ascendant progressive insurgents.

The details

The lawsuit, Luthmann v. Hanks et al, claims Hanks stiffed former-attorney-turned-journalist Richard A. Luthmann for roughly $86,000 in legal work for her 2017 campaign and other matters. Luthmann alleges that Hanks and her co-defendant, longtime partner Kevin Barry Love, exploited his own legal troubles to dodge their debts. The suit also paints an ugly picture behind Hanks's rise, alleging that Luthmann helped Hanks's insurgent campaign in 2017, including knocking a rival off the ballot and winning a court order so Hanks's daughter could graduate on time, only to be left unpaid. Now those ghosted bills have come back to haunt City Hall, with Hanks as a defendant in a politically toxic courtroom drama featuring accusations of off-the-books campaign cash and threats of extortion by her husband.

  • In 2017, Luthmann knocked a rival off the ballot and won a court order so Hanks's daughter could graduate on time.

The players

Julie Menin

The NYC Council Speaker who controversially chose Kamillah Hanks as Majority Whip.

Kamillah Hanks

The NYC Council Majority Whip who is entangled in a 'deadbeat' lawsuit with allegations of campaign dirty dealings and extortion.

Richard A. Luthmann

A former attorney-turned-journalist who is suing Hanks and her husband for $86,000 in unpaid legal fees.

Kevin Barry Love

Hanks's longtime partner who is a co-defendant in the lawsuit, accused of threatening and intimidating tactics.

Emily Morales-Minerva

The judge presiding over the Luthmann v. Hanks case, who is married to Domenico 'Nico' Minerva, the Manhattan Democratic Party chair.

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What they’re saying

“Now it's not about the money… I want depositions and sworn testimony. There will be perjury traps set carefully and lawfully.”

— Richard A. Luthmann, Plaintiff

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Kamillah Hanks out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the cozy interconnections between the Manhattan Democratic establishment and raises concerns about corruption and lack of accountability within the party. The scandal has the potential to fuel a takeover of the Manhattan Democratic machine by the city's Democratic Socialists of America faction.