Eric Adams, the current mayor of New York City, faces indictment, casting a shadow over his administration and political future. As a former transit police officer, Adams made history in 2022 by becoming the second Black individual to lead the nation’s largest city, stepping into the role at a time when New York was still grappling with the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.
During his inauguration, Adams, a Democrat, expressed his desire to reinvigorate the city, which had been shaken by the pandemic, political tensions, and the unpopular tenure of his predecessor, Bill de Blasio. He aimed to bring a personal flair to the role, hoping to restore New York’s dynamic and vibrant image.
However, questions about Adams’ life and career have frequently surfaced, often leading to bizarre and unexplained moments. One such instance occurred in 2011 when Adams, serving as a state senator, released a video instructing parents on how to search their homes for hidden “contraband” like drugs, guns, and other illicit items. In the video, he demonstrated how everyday objects, such as jewelry boxes, could hide firearms, and even uncovered a used crack pipe from a backpack. Adams went as far as finding a bag of fake cocaine, bullets, a sack of marijuana, and another gun concealed behind a bookshelf, all in strange hiding spots.
Adams’ residency has also been a topic of scrutiny, as many questioned whether he truly lived in New York. Much attention was given to his ownership of properties in both New Jersey and Brooklyn, raising doubts about his primary residence.
Adams’ claims of being vegan have also faced skepticism. After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2016, he asserted that he reversed the condition by switching to a whole food, plant-based diet. As mayor, he introduced “Vegan Fridays” in public schools and encouraged grocery stores to offer more health-conscious options. Yet, reports from the New Yorker and other sources suggested that Adams occasionally indulged in chicken and fish, leading to further doubts about his dietary claims.
From the outset of his mayoral term, Adams aimed to differentiate himself from Bill de Blasio, positioning himself as a non-ideological leader who understood the pulse of the city. He took the subway to City Hall on his first day and arrived at his desk by 8:30 a.m., holding a cabinet meeting soon after. Adams vowed to strengthen New York’s ties with its business community and made cracking down on street and subway crime a priority.
His ambition to restore New York’s reputation as the “city that never sleeps” earned him the self-proclaimed title of “nightlife mayor.” He believed that an active nightlife would reduce crime and attract tourists, stating that every time New Yorkers dined out, they were supporting local jobs, from dishwashers to bartenders. However, Adams’ nocturnal habits soon attracted negative attention. It was revealed that he frequented Osteria La Baia, an Italian restaurant owned by two brothers with felony convictions, visiting it 14 times in a month and making it his unofficial meeting spot. He declined to disclose who covered the bill during these visits.
In another controversial move, Adams appointed his younger brother, Bernard, to head his security detail, igniting accusations of nepotism. Additionally, there was uncertainty about whether Adams owned a home in New York during the early days of his tenure.
Federal investigations soon emerged, focusing on how city contracts were awarded. Particular attention was given to the Turkish consulate’s quick approval to extend its embassy despite concerns raised by the fire department. Questions also arose regarding whether the former police commissioner’s twin brother, a nightlife consultant, had profited from insider connections.
Born in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood, Adams frequently speaks about his tough upbringing. He recounted joining the New York City police force in 1984 with the intent to reform the department after being beaten by officers when he was 15. In 2006, Adams successfully ran for the New York state senate, though he was accused of accepting campaign contributions from a politically connected group lobbying for a casino in Queens. Seven years later, he became the Brooklyn borough president.
Facing reelection next year, Adams has vowed to serve two terms as mayor. However, his ambitions may be in jeopardy as federal authorities raided his home, intensifying their probe following weeks of resignations from his administration. Adams has called the federal corruption charges “entirely false” and based on lies, but the turmoil within his administration suggests that the city dysfunction he pledged to fix has now come back to haunt him.
