Until David Dinkins, no mayor ever lived in Gracie Mansion. I remember the uproar at the expense of refitting the 200 year old house for human occupation. Outrage over squandering the public's money is long dead.
I recall that brouhaha. But the Custodian had a “friend” stashed in a W55th st co-op. Used to see him departing at first light once or twice a week when I walked the dog. He had the sneaky departure down pat. Head down, 7 or 8 steps to the open car door and he was gone in less than a half minute..