Mayor Eric Adams is facing a federal indictment alleging that his 2021 campaign obtained over $10 million in public matching funds under false pretenses. The indictment claims that the campaign engaged in schemes to funnel funds from foreign donors to U.S. contributors, which could have made the campaign ineligible for matching funds. Adams’ 2025 campaign is now under scrutiny for similar issues, with concerns raised about invalid donations and potential violations of campaign finance rules. The Campaign Finance Board is closely reviewing all submissions from Adams going forward. Despite Adams’ attorney dismissing the indictment as baseless, the fate of his matching funds request remains uncertain. If found guilty of false certifications or other violations, Adams could face repercussions similar to those experienced by former city Comptroller John Liu. Calls have been made to deny Adams’ 2025 campaign any public matching funds due to the allegations outlined in the indictment. Adams’ campaign lawyer maintains that all rules were followed in the 2021 campaign and will continue to be followed in the future. The indictment also implicates Adams in corrupt activities related to his 2025 re-election bid, alleging involvement in soliciting and accepting illegal donations.
The recent federal indictment of Mayor Eric Adams on charges of obtaining over $10 million in public matching funds for his 2021 campaign through fraudulent means has raised concerns about his 2025 campaign’s requests for more matching funds from the Campaign Finance Board. Prosecutors allege that Adams’ 2021 campaign falsely certified the legitimacy of contributions submitted for public matches, including passing funds from foreign donors to U.S. contributors, which is prohibited under the matching program.
The Campaign Finance Board (CFB) had raised red flags during the 2021 campaign about suspicious donations, but Adams’ campaign proceeded to secure a record amount of public funding. With the indictment shedding light on the alleged corruption, the CFB faces scrutiny on how it will evaluate Adams’ 2025 matching fund requests.
Adams’ 2025 campaign has sought a public match for over $500,000 in contributions collected through mid-June, with some claims already flagged as invalid by the CFB. If all claims are approved, the campaign could receive about $4 million in taxpayer dollars. Allegations of donations violating rules on passing contributions through other people have also emerged.
The indictment further accuses Adams of seeking illegal donations from foreign nationals for his 2025 re-election efforts, including disguising a fundraiser involving foreign donors as a “sustainability” event. The CFB has not yet approved any matching funds for candidates, but Chairman Frederick Schaffer emphasized that all submissions from Adams will be closely scrutinized in light of the indictment.
Despite Adams’ attorney dismissing the indictment as baseless, the campaign faces the risk of being denied matching funds, as false certifications could jeopardize taxpayer-funded support. Similar cases in the past, like former city Comptroller John Liu’s denial of matching funds due to straw donations, serve as a cautionary tale for Adams’ campaign.
Councilmember Lincoln Restler has called for the CFB to reject providing any matching funds to Adams’ 2025 campaign, citing the indictment’s allegations of false certifications. The campaign’s lawyer maintains that they followed all rules and will continue to do so, as mandated by the CFB.
Adams’ 2025 campaign has withdrawn some claims flagged as invalid by the CFB, with voting members set to determine the legitimacy of remaining claims. The indictment also implicates Adams’ 2025 re-election bid in alleged corrupt practices, including soliciting straw and foreign contributions shortly after taking office.
The CFB will play a crucial role in evaluating Adams’ 2025 matching fund requests, considering the allegations of fraud and corruption surrounding his previous campaign. The outcome of this scrutiny could significantly impact the future of Adams’ re-election efforts and his standing in the public eye.
Source: TheCity.NYC
