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New York City Mayor Eric Adams is known for frequently visiting and rubbing shoulders with celebrities around the city. Now he has a lawyer to match.
City Hall has hired star attorney Alex Spiro to represent the mayor in a lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a fellow city employee in 1993. Mr. Adams strongly denies the allegations.
Mr. Spiro, who has represented clients such as Elon Musk, Megan Thee Stallion and Jay-Z, charges up to $2,025 an hour for his services, and Mr. Adams' legal fees are paid by New York City taxpayers. The burden will be borne by the person responsible.
The decision surprised some, although the city claims the rates are deeply discounted. In answering questions about his recruitment, Adams seemed happy to be a part of such a prestigious company.
“I don't know how you can be a celebrity lawyer, but can I be a celebrity mayor?” he asked.
Certainly, he wasn't the first person to have doubts.
All New York City mayors are celebrities, but Adams seems more committed to the role than most.
In-depth 2022 new york times A deep dive into the newly elected mayor's nighttime habits reveals that he has become “an essential after-dark fixture” in the city. Adams campaigned on a promise to revitalize the nightlife industry, which has been battered by the pandemic, and appears prepared to do it alone if necessary.
Adams is a regular at Osteria La Bahia, an Italian restaurant in midtown run by Robert and Zan Petrosian, close friends of the mayor. times After stalking the mayor, Adams visited the restaurant 14 times in one month, where he “slipped behind a frosted glass partition and went to a private table where he held court,” he noted.
said Maxwell Young, the mayor's press secretary. times: “Of course, there's nothing wrong with talking about city business at a restaurant.”
Adams is a regular at Zero Bond, a private members' club in Noho frequented by the likes of Kim Kardashian and Tom Brady, where he pays his dues. range From $2,500 to $4,000.
But while Adams may act like a big-time player when the sun goes down, it's his legal issues that keep his name in the headlines.
Adams currently faces two scandals that threaten to derail him as mayor: sexual assault allegations and a federal investigation into corruption allegations dating back to his 2021 campaign.
The assault lawsuit was filed in March. Lorna Beach – Mathura They allege that Adams sexually assaulted them in 1993, when they both worked for the New York City Police Department's Transit Bureau, when they approached him for help with promotions.
Adams denied the sexual assault allegations, telling reporters: I would never hurt anyone on that scale. ”
The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing in the corruption investigation, but federal investigators appear to be widening their investigation into his ties to the Turkish government.
In November, federal agents reportedly searched the home of his chief fundraiser, Virana Suggs, seeking documents related to an investigation into whether Adams' campaign received funds from the Turkish government through straw donors.
Part of that investigation focuses on whether Mr. Adams intervened to overlook security concerns at the new Turkish consulate in Manhattan.
Then last week, new york times The FBI reported that it is investigating possible flight upgrades he received from Turkish Airlines for his overseas travels.
said Adams' attorney, Brendan R. McGuire. times: “As borough president, the mayor consistently disclosed official travel to Turkey, received no inappropriate upgrades, and did nothing inappropriate in exchange for upgrades,” he said. .
One thing that can't be debated is how much Adams enjoys being the center of attention. As the mayor of Brooklyn, he previously appeared as himself in the 2017 Turkish romantic comedy. new york fairy tale.
two turkish characters ask him for political favors — and Adams responded, “Brooklyn is the Istanbul of America,” before taking a selfie with them.
