The Campaign Finance Board denied Mayor Eric Adams millions of dollars in public matching funds for his re-election campaign due to alleged fraud and noncompliance. Adams is facing charges of bribery and campaign finance fraud. The decision was based on concerns about his campaign’s conduct and transparency. Former comptroller Scott Stringer was the only candidate approved for matching funds. Adams can appeal the decision or opt out of the program to raise larger individual donations.
The City Campaign Finance Board, responsible for overseeing campaign finance to reduce the impact of money in politics, has denied Mayor Eric Adams millions of dollars in public matching funds for his re-election bid. The board cited concerns about alleged fraud and noncompliance with their inquiries by Adams’ campaign. This decision comes as Adams faces federal charges of bribery and campaign finance fraud, with a trial scheduled for April.
In the 2021 election, Adams heavily relied on taxpayer dollars, receiving over $10 million in matching funds from the CFB. However, for his 2025 re-election campaign, Adams requested around $4 million in new public funds which were ultimately denied by the board. Only former comptroller Scott Stringer has been approved for $2 million in matching funds so far.
CFB Chairman Frederick Schaffer highlighted the unusual circumstances surrounding Adams’ campaign and the need for transparency in their decision. The board determined that Adams’ campaign may have engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program and failed to provide requested documents and information, leading to the denial of public funds. Adams’ campaign counsel expressed disappointment but stated their intention to work with the board to address any issues and ensure the appropriate disbursement of funds.
The board’s rejection of Adams’ request was influenced by the allegations outlined in the federal indictment against him. Prosecutors have accused Adams and his team of soliciting and accepting illegal donations during the 2021 campaign, including straw donations that concealed the true source of the funds. Additionally, the campaign allegedly disregarded the CFB’s inquiries regarding questionable donations, raising concerns about potential illegal contributions.
Adams has the option to appeal the board’s decision, but with the June primary approaching, time is limited. If he decides to opt out of the matching funds program, Adams can seek larger individual donations up to $3,700, compared to the capped $2,100 for matching fund contributions. Despite the setback, Adams’ campaign remains confident in its resources and support for the upcoming primary.
Source: TheCity.NYC
