The Department of Investigation is looking into the actions of an official appointed by Mayor Eric Adams who was involved in leasing decisions, including renting space from a donor to the mayor’s legal defense fund. The investigation is part of a broader inquiry into potential conflicts of interest and questionable dealings involving the official and a real estate broker. The investigation also involves a canceled warehouse purchase and a review of all leases by the city.
The Department of Investigation (DOI) in the city is conducting an inquiry into the actions of Jesse Hamilton, a close associate of Mayor Eric Adams who oversees city leases. This investigation includes a recent decision by Hamilton to lease space from a major donor to the mayor’s legal defense fund. Hamilton, the deputy commissioner for real estate at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), faces scrutiny for his role in the lease of an office tower at 14 Wall St., owned by a donor to the mayor’s legal defense fund.
The DOI is examining Hamilton’s activities in his capacity as the official responsible for city leasing from private building owners, as well as the buying and selling of city property. There are concerns about potential conflicts of interest between Hamilton and Diana Boutross, a Cushman & Wakefield real estate broker who serves as the DCAS “tenant representative” in multimillion-dollar leases. Hamilton, Boutross, and the mayor’s chief advisor, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, were part of a group that traveled to Japan and had their phones seized upon their return to JFK Airport.
Following law enforcement searches and City Council hearings, it was revealed that Hamilton intervened to favor the 14 Wall St. lease over another potential deal at 250 Broadway. DCAS Commissioner Louis Molina defended the decision, claiming it would save taxpayers $31 million compared to the alternative. However, subsequent information suggested that Molina may have misspoken about the financial implications of the two deals.
In light of these developments, First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer has initiated a review of all DCAS leases, leading to a pause in negotiations for the 14 Wall St. lease. It was also disclosed during a Council hearing that Hamilton and Boutross had been involved in pitching a purchase of a warehouse in the South Bronx, which was later decided against by DCAS.
The investigation into Hamilton’s actions as the deputy commissioner for real estate at DCAS continues, with a focus on potential conflicts of interest and questionable decisions regarding city leases and property transactions. The DOI’s scrutiny of this matter highlights the importance of ethical conduct and transparency in government dealings.
Source: TheCity.NYC
