NEW YORK – President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would “look into” a pardon for embattled New York Mayor Eric Adams, who has been indicted on federal corruption charges.
Trump added that he was not familiar with the details of the charges Adams faces.
Adams has pleaded not guilty to five charges, including conspiracy to commit fraud, solicitation of a contribution by an alien and bribery. He is accused of accepting travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions. You can read the full indictment against Adams here.
Adams has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has said he has no plans to resign and is seeking re-election. His trial starts on April 21.
Adams receives no campaign matching funds
Trump made the announcement on the same day that the New York City Campaign Finance Board announced it will not provide Adams with matching funds for his re-election bid, a serious setback for his campaign.
“After thoroughly reviewing all available information, including the details of the charges against Mayor Adams, the Council has determined that there is reason to believe that the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching fund program, in contrary to the law, including the Campaign. His campaign also failed to provide documents and information requested by the Council. Accordingly, Mayor Adams’ campaign for re-election has not demonstrated eligibility for payment from public funds at this time. Our priority remains achieving a fair and transparent democracy that is accountable to all New Yorkers,” said Frederick Schaffer, chairman of the Campaign Finance Board of New York City.
“While CFB’s ruling today to withhold matching funds at this time is disappointing, we will continue to work with the board to address any issues so that the funds can be disbursed appropriately. The Mayor’s campaign continues to have far more resources than those of his opponents,” and we are confident that we will receive the support we need to spend the maximum amount allowed in the upcoming primaries,” Adams’ 2025 campaign adviser Vito Patta said in a statement.
“Eric Adams’ unethical and potentially illegal fundraising practices have led to the NYC Campaign Finance Board (CFB) denying him matching campaign funds for his 2025 re-election bid. New York’s public finance system works – we have some of the most robust campaign finance laws, and we have been a model for states and localities across the country,” Jasmine Gripper and Ana María Archila, co-directors of the New York Working Families Party, said in a statement. “We are relieved by the CFB’s decision to spend taxpayers’ money wisely and prevent abuse of the system. It is time for New York City to elect a new mayor who can govern with integrity in service of New York City’s working families.”
Adams’ top aide abruptly resigns
These are just the latest developments in the investigation into Adams and his top aides, and follow Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Adams’ longtime top adviser, abruptly announced her resignation on Sunday evening. That announcement comes as prosecutors reportedly presented evidence to a grand jury investigating corruption allegations against her.
Lewis-Martin’s resignation came a month before she was expected to retire.
Federal agents subpoenaed Lewis-Martin and seized her cellphone after she returned from a trip to Japan in September. They also searched her home in Brooklyn.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office has said it is investigating Lewis-Martin and four others allegedly involved in the city’s commercial real estate leasing business.
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