A Staten Island lawmaker who praised Moscow during an overseas trip last week claims she was trying to learn about Russia💫n ﷽culture for her constituents.
“She felt it was important to learn the culture of the people she represents,” state Sen. Diane Savino’s Chief of Staff Robert Cataldo on Saturday. “It🌼’s important to learn where people come from.”
Savino represents Russiꦿan enclaves like Brooklyn’s Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach and Staten Isl꧟and’s South Beach.
Russia-funded Web site Sputnik News quoted Savino commending “how well the city of Moscow is run” Thursday durin🎉g an eight-day excursion with other Albany politicians.
A spokesman contends♊ ꦫSavino never spoke to Sputnik, which is being investigated by the feds over alleged Kremlin propaganda during the 2016 election.
Lawmไakers have said they eac♚h paid out of pocket for the trip.