New York Mayor Eric Adams was surrounded by a much smaller crowd of supporters than usual on New Year’s Eve, months after he was indicted on federal corruption charges.
This year, Adams was in Times Square to welcome the new year, but his inner circle was smaller than the one with him in 2022.
Three years ago, Adams was sworn in as the 110th mayor of New York City and brought along his closest advisors to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
This year, however, after his recent federal corruption charges, the confidantes who had surrounded him were nowhere to be found New York Times reported.
Many had resigned or were themselves under investigation as his government plunged into chaos.
Democratic Mayor Adams is expected to go on trial in April on charges of conspiring with the Turkish government to receive illegal foreign campaign contributions and improperly accept benefits, including luxury international travel.
Adams has maintained his innocence and has since pleaded not guilty.
However, his reputation may not be saved in time for June’s post-scandal re-election primaries.
New York Mayor Eric Adams was surrounded by a new, smaller group of people on New Year’s Eve
This year, however, those who surrounded him were nowhere to be seen, following his recent federal corruption charges. Many had resigned or were themselves under investigation as his government descended into chaos
Three years ago, Adams was sworn in as the 110th mayor of New York City and brought along his closest advisors to celebrate the New Year’s Eve ball drop.
A spokeswoman for the mayor, Kayla Mamelak Atlus, said in a statement that New Yorkers did not care who was on stage with the mayor on New Year’s Eve.
‘They care about what those people do to serve them. The mayors started the new year with leaders who have helped reduce crime, boost employment to unprecedented heights, fuel a wave of tourism and much more,” Atlus said in a statement.
Nine top officials from his administration have resigned, including Jeffrey Maddrey.
Until last month, Maddrey was the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the New York Police Department. He recently had his home searched by federal agents after he was accused of demanding sex from a subordinate in exchange for overtime.
The Rev. Alfred Cockfield II, the leader of a political action committee tied to the mayor, was part of Adams’ entourage in 2022. He is now under investigation as part of a federal corruption investigation.
Tracey Collins, the mayor’s longtime partner, also joined him on stage. Collins retired from the city’s education department in November after she was accused of not showing up for her high-paying job.
Timothy Pearson, a senior adviser to the mayor, resigned in September after his phone was seized in a federal corruption investigation and he was also accused of sexual harassment.
The mayor’s closest adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, also abruptly resigned in December, shortly before she was indicted in an alleged bribery scheme involving a new $100,000 Porsche for her son.
Joining him in 2022 was Frank Carone, the mayor’s chief of staff during his first year in office and a top adviser in his re-election campaign. He came under scrutiny for his business dealings, including his close relationship and association with a Brooklyn priest who was himself in trouble.
Democratic Mayor Adams is expected to go on trial in April on charges of conspiring with the Turkish government to receive illegal foreign campaign contributions and improperly accept benefits, including luxury international travel
Adams has emphasized his innocence and pleaded not guilty. However, his reputation may not be saved in time for June’s post-scandal re-election primaries
Lewis-Martin was one of the mayor’s closest confidantes and held senior positions as Adams climbed the government ranks in New York for nearly two decades.
The mayor’s Asian affairs director, Winnie Greco, resigned in October after her homes were searched by federal agents.
Former judge Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix announced her resignation in May after Adams wanted to replace her with Randy Mastro.
His son, Jordan Coleman, was with Adams at both the 2022 and 2025 ball drops.
The smaller group joining him this year included his son, Jordan Coleman, and Camille Joseph Varlack, who served as the mayor’s chief of staff for the past two years.
A former lobbyist who worked on the mayor’s 2021 campaign, Tiffany Raspberry, also took the stage. Raspberry is director of the Mayor’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and works with lawmakers at the state, city and federal levels.
Fabien Levy, the mayor’s embattled deputy mayor for communications, was also present, as was deputy mayor for strategic initiatives Ana Almanzar.
Adams’ ranks also included Chauncey Parker, the deputy mayor for public safety, first deputy mayor Maria Torres-Springer, and Kiesha Humphrey-James, who was recently named executive director of payroll and timekeeping.
Last September, Adams became the first New York City mayor to be criminally charged while still in office.
New York Mayor Eric Adams leaves the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse after making his first appearance in his corruption case on October 2
According to prosecutors, Eric Adams accepted a series of lavish gifts and amenities from foreign governments hoping to buy influence with him
In a statement following the charges, Adams said he “always knew” he would be targeted because of his views and refused to leave office.
He was indicted following a series of federal corruption investigations into campaign finances and alleged kickback schemes among top executives, which began with a raid on one of his top fundraisers, Brianna Suggs, in November 2023.
After Lewis-Martin’s abrupt departure, Adams faced increasing criticism over his administration’s legal problems.
Before being appointed as chief counsel to Adams, Lewis-Martin served as chief of staff to the mayor in the New York State Senate for seven years.
In that position, she was instrumental in conceptualizing and implementing community programs to benefit the residents of Central Brooklyn, and later served as a senior advisor during Adams’ two terms as Brooklyn Borough President.
Adams subsequently appointed Lewis-Martin as his lead advisor in January 2022.
Adams has yet to publicly address the full scope of the allegations against his former adviser, but the scandal adds to a growing list of legal challenges for his administration, which is already grappling with allegations of federal bribery and corruption involving top officials.