Domb Bomb

BACK IN MARCH, the Daily News ran a gossip piece airing rumors about City Council President Darrell Clarke and "condo king" turned at-large Council candidate Allan Domb. The piece purported that Clarke wanted the wealthy Domb to run in order to trigger the city's "millionaire provision" that doubles fundraising limits for all other candidates in a given race.

Clarke called the idea "complete nonsense," and Domb denied any collusion. But when asked if he would put enough money into his campaign to trigger the provision, Domb wavered, saying he hadn't "made that decision yet."

Well, according to the city's Ethics Board, the real-estate broker appears to have made up his mind.

Yesterday afternoon, the board released an advisory stating that Domb had indeed triggered the provision by donating more than $250,000 of his own money to his Council campaign. Now, all other at-large candidates can accept donations twice as large as normally allowed by city finance law - up to $5,800 from individuals and $23,000 from political committees and businesses.

It may simply be an indication of the expensive campaign Domb has fielded. He has unusually (for Council candidates) bought TV airtime and distributed glossy campaign materials around the city.

But triggering the provision could also give a last-minute edge to several vulnerable incumbent Council members, monetarily fatigued from months of fighting off a field of opponents that include some big names, like education activist Helen Gym and Domb himself. At least one newcomer will get in regardless, as Jim Kenney vacated his seat to run for mayor.

Domb did not return calls or an email for comment.