THE CITY readers are already New Yorkers in the know. But a dedicated crowd of them dug even deeper Wednesday night, tuning in to hear directly from our newsroom’s experts about what exactly is going on with Mayor Eric Adams right now.
In a virtual talk, our journalists tracking City Hall shared what they know — and sorted through nearly 100 reader questions about the mayor, his inner circle and the many investigations they face.
Listeners heard from Katie Honan, who files stories from City Hall every day, Greg B. Smith, a veteran investigative reporter who has reported on Adams long before he became mayor, and Alyssa Katz, THE CITY’s executive editor, who has helped lead our reporting that uncovered improper campaign donations that have since appeared in the federal indictment against the mayor. Rachel Holliday Smith, THE CITY’s explanatory journalism editor, moderated.
Readers wondered: What happens if Adams is convicted? Who is under investigation? How is the mayor going to pay for his defense? And: What is Gov. Kathy Hochul’s role in all of this? The answers to those questions are below — and you can watch the full discussion here:
What happens if Adams is convicted during his term?
— submitted by reader Seth K.
There is no rule in the City Charter that says the mayor must step down if he is indicted or convicted. But if he is convicted, there may be more political pressure for him to be removed. How would that happen? Our guide on how a New York City mayor can be forced out of office answers that question. But a conviction would take a long time, likely taking place after next year’s mayoral primary.
Can you share who is indicted, under investigation, not a target of an investigation, and who we have no idea of what their status is?
— submitted by reader Jonathan J.
The best place to start is our guide on who’s investigating Eric Adams and his inner circle. It breaks down the multiple federal investigations, who has resigned or been indicted and which cases have already gone to court.
How is the mayor going to pay for his defense?
— submitted by reader David H.
We have highlighted the big questions that loom around his rapidly depleted legal defense fund, and will continue reporting on it. Here’s our guide on what we know about the mayor’s fundraising for his defense, and our recent story about Adams’ options as his aggressive legal team works on his defense.
Would appreciate any clarification on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s role in all this.
— submitted by reader Justin H.
The governor has a lot of power over the mayor’s future because she has the ability to force him out of office. Here is our guide about how that would happen. However, she has not yet taken that option as of mid-October, and instead has reportedly pressured City Hall to remove specific people from the administration, rather than asking the mayor himself to leave.
