New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is facing federal corruption charges, saw his reelection campaign be denied matching campaign funds Monday.
The decision by the New York City Campaign Finance Board is a severe setback for his attempt to win a second term next year.
The board cited bookkeeping irregularities and the federal indictments against Adams in their ruling, Politico reported. In New York, mayoral candidates who receive donations of up to $250 are eligible to have the contribution matched eightfold with public tax dollars.
“After thoroughly reviewing all available information, including the details of the indictment of Mayor Adams, the board has determined that there is reason to believe the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program in violation of the law, including the Campaign Finance Act and the board rules,” Finance Board Chairman Frederick Schaffer said at the meeting. “His campaign also failed to provide documents and information requested by the board. Accordingly, Mayor Adams’ campaign for reelection has failed to demonstrate eligibility for public funds payment at this time.”
Adams’ campaign attorney, Vito Pitta, said he hoped the board would reconsider and the campaign plans to appeal the ruling.
“While today’s ruling by CFB to withhold matching funds at this time is disappointing, we will continue to work with the board to address any issues so that funds can be appropriately disbursed,” Pitta said in a statement. “The mayor’s campaign continues to have far more resources than his opponents’, and we are very confident we will have the support we need to spend the maximum amount allowable in the upcoming primary.”
The mayor requested $4.5 million from the board. Adams has raised $4.1 million donors during his first term, Politico said.
At an Adams fundraiser in Puerto Rico earlier this month, an invitation asked donors to give him maximum donations of $3,700, above the maximum of $2,100 that candidates are allowed to accept if they receive matching funds, according to Politico.
Pitta told Politico at the time that the invitation including that limit was not authorized by the campaign.
Adams has been accused of accepting free or discounted overseas trips and illegal campaign contributions from people looking to gain his influence, including people connected to Turkey or the Turkish government. He pleaded not guilty.
Scott Stringer was the only mayoral candidate to receive the matching funds, totaling $2.1 million.