Behind the Throne: Judy Rapfogel, Chief of Staff for New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, during a New York Women’s Equality Coalition rally at the Capitol in Albany, New York Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Image by Hans Pennink

By Josh Nathan-Kazis December 5, 2016

The former chief of staff of disgraced New York State Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver has a new job at Jared Kushner’s firm, the Daily News reported this morning.

Judy Rapfogel has had close relationships with two New York power brokers who took spectacular falls in recent years. Her longtime boss, Silver, was convicted of federal corruption charges earlier this year and sentenced to over a decade in prison. And her husband, William Rapfogel, served time in state prison for stealing $9 million from the Jewish charity he ran, the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty.

Judy Rapfogel was not accused of being connected to either of the men’s crimes. She retired from her State Assembly job with a $115,000 annual pension, according to the Daily News.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The Daily News revealed this morning that, since April, Rapfogel has worked as a property manager at the Kushner Companies, the massive real estate firm owned by Jared Kushner, the businessman son-in-law of president elect Donald Trump.

Judy Rapfogel’s son, Michael Rapfogel, works for Forest City Ratner, another large development firm with properties in New York City.

Contact Josh Nathan-Kazis at [email protected]

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount