New York City is currently experiencing a significant political scandal, with notable events unfolding within Mayor Eric Adams’s administration. This situation involves federal investigations, high-level resignations, and controversies dating back to Adams’s 2021 mayoral campaign.
Mayor Adams’s inner circle has faced intense scrutiny in recent months. Although the mayor himself has denied any knowledge of wrongdoing and has not been accused of any crimes, his administration continues to face challenges. Last week, NYPD Commissioner Eric Caban stepped down following the seizure of his cellphone by federal authorities as part of an ongoing investigation. Shortly thereafter, Lisa Zornberg, the chief counsel and legal advisor to the mayor, also resigned, followed by the resignation of Kristen Kaufman, the deputy commissioner of public-private partnerships and economic development.
In a recent press conference, Mayor Adams emphasized his focus on protecting the citizens of New York City, stating, “I’m focused on protecting the people of this city, and the investigations will take care of themselves. That is not where my time is going to be consumed; of answering the same questions over and over again. We know what you know.”
Issues for Adams reportedly began around November of the previous year, according to Gothamist and WNYC reporter Elizabeth Kim. Federal agents conducted raids involving several individuals, including one of Adams’s top fundraisers. Kim noted that while it is not unusual for a mayor’s fundraising activities to be investigated, the seizure of the mayor’s phones marked an unprecedented development that drew significant attention from political observers.
The investigations have multiple angles. One line of inquiry involves alleged illegal donations from Turkish officials. Another focuses on a fundraiser linked to the Chinese community, with her home also being searched. Additionally, there is an investigation into the New York Police Department, which includes scrutiny of the police commissioner’s brother, a nightlife industry consultant. Reports suggest the investigation may involve bribery connected to a member of the mayor’s administration.
Additionally, there is an investigation concerning the deputy mayor for public safety, Phil Banks, who has a long-standing relationship with Mayor Adams. This investigation also involves Banks’s brother, a consultant representing businesses that hold contracts with the city.
Throughout these developments, Mayor Adams has sought to mitigate the impact of these investigations. Elizabeth Kim highlighted that the mayor has refrained from labeling them as investigations, referring to them instead as reviews. Adams has emphasized his background in law enforcement, insisting that he has always adhered to the rules and has expected his staff to do the same.
As events continue to unfold, Mayor Adams has had to address New Yorkers’ concerns. During a virtual address, he acknowledged the departure of the police commissioner and assured the public that he was not distracted by the investigations and remained confident in his innocence.
This episode of political unraveling in New York is being closely monitored, as the federal inquiries continue to probe deeper into the workings of Mayor Adams’s administration.
This episode was produced by Marc Rivers, with audio engineering by Neil Tevault. It was edited by Courtney Dorning. The executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
