Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams Fined $4,000 for Campaign Stunt

Adams admitted to misusing city resources to target opponent Andrew Cuomo during a press conference.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams has agreed to pay a $4,000 fine to the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board for a campaign stunt he pulled during an official City Hall press conference. Adams had city staffers distribute whistles to reporters, which he said was to help them feel "safe" while interviewing his opponent Andrew Cuomo, who was facing sexual harassment allegations. The Board said Adams violated the City Charter by using city resources for a campaign purpose.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of maintaining a clear separation between official government business and political campaigning, even for high-ranking elected officials. The misuse of public resources for personal or political gain can erode public trust in government.

The details

According to the Conflicts of Interest Board, during an August 2025 press conference at City Hall, Adams had staffers place whistles on reporters' chairs. When a reporter asked about the whistles, Adams said they were for the "women here" who were "interviewing Andrew Cuomo" and "feel unsafe." Cuomo was running against Adams in the mayoral race at the time. Adams later admitted in a signed disposition that he violated the City Charter by using city resources and personnel for the purpose of drawing negative attention to an opponent in his reelection campaign.

  • The press conference where the violation occurred was in August 2025, before Adams dropped out of the race.
  • In July 2025, City Council Member Joann Ariola agreed to pay a $2,000 fine for endorsing a mayoral candidate on her X account using the City Council seal.

The players

Eric Adams

Former mayor of New York City who agreed to pay a $4,000 fine for misusing city resources during a campaign stunt targeting his opponent Andrew Cuomo.

Andrew Cuomo

Former New York governor who was running against Adams in the 2025 mayoral race and faced sexual harassment allegations at the time.

Zohran Mamdani

The eventual successor to Adams as mayor of New York City.

Joann Ariola

New York City Council member who agreed to pay a $2,000 fine for endorsing a mayoral candidate using the City Council seal on her X account.

Curtis Sliwa

The Republican candidate for mayor of New York City in 2025 that Ariola endorsed on her X account.

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What they’re saying

“Many of these women here are interviewing Andrew Cuomo, and they feel unsafe. They're going to have a whistle to help them through it, OK?”

— Eric Adams, Former Mayor of New York City (CBS News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of maintaining a clear separation between official government business and political campaigning, even for high-ranking elected officials. The misuse of public resources for personal or political gain can erode public trust in government.