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A lefty at a Catholic law school is under fire for publicly and profanely insulting the leader of New York’s nearly 3 million Catholics. St. John’s University Law School student Vishal
Balani — who works part-time for the New York Yankees — allegedly posted on X on Feb. 22 that Timothy Cardinal Dolan is “sickening.” “Pope Francis is a model of Catholic love, servitude and
grace. You are a bootlicking disgrace with your nose up Donald Trump’s ass,” the post said, according to NYC Councilman Robert Holden, who has been tracking the screeds. Balani has also been
relentlessly ripping conservative pols on X for for over a year, Holden told The Post. Balani, 26, who graduated from New York University in 2022 with a bachelor’s in sports management and
started law school in August, has since taken his Dolan post down. But Holden fired off a letter Monday to Jelani Jefferson Exum, the law school’s dean, alleging Balani’s “fitness for the
legal profession” is in serious question. EXPLORE MORE Balani ripped Holden, a conservative Queens Democrat, on X as a “scumbag,” “two-bit sanctimonious sleazebag” and alleged the
term-limited pol’s “legacy in the @NYCCouncil will be one of standing by and cheering on the rise of authoritarianism in the country.” Balani also called Councilwoman Vicky Paladino
(R-Queens) “pond scum,” a “Proud Boys-loving political hack” and a “sickening Trump bootlicker,” as well as seven other past and present councilmembers “cranks” and “grifters.” “His conduct
not only contradicts St. John’s … values, but also questions his fitness for the legal profession, necessitating your immediate review and disciplinary response,” Holden told the dean.
Balani’s X account was shut down days after Holden formally lodged a complaint. The councilman also wrote a similar letter Monday to the human resources department of the New York Yankees,
where Balani works as part-time special events staffer, demanding he be disciplined for likely violating conduct policies for MLB staffers. “The Yankees are a cornerstone of New York’s
community, valued for the professionalism and integrity,” Holden wrote. “Your Social Media Policy (MLB Social Media Policy) surely prohibits such conduct.” Balani’s LinkedIn profile
highlights him as a “resourceful sports business professional contributing to major sporting events and improving lives through the power of sport.” It notes he began working for the Yankees
in “Stadium Tours & Special Events” three years ago and previously worked as event staffer at pro tennis events. He’s also worked as an intern for the House of Representatives and was a
campaign volunteer for Long Island Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi. St. John’s confirmed it received Holden’s letter, but said it’s prohibited by federal privacy laws from commenting further.
Balani also declined comment, and the Yankees did not return messages. However Aryn Sobo, the Yankees vice president of Human Resources, wrote Holden an email he shared with The Post saying,
“although [Balani] denied being responsible for the cited posts, we encouraged him to be thoughtful and respectful when posting, and he assured us he has and will continue to do so.” She
said it’s yet to be determined whether Balani violated social media policies.