New York City’s political history is marred by corruption, and current Mayor Eric Adams joins a small group of mayors tainted by scandal. He is compared to A. Oakey Hall, the last mayor indicted while in office in 1871.
Historical Context of Corruption in NYC Mayoralty
Hall was charged with neglect of his duties, specifically related to the notorious Tammany Hall and its infamous leader, Boss Tweed. That era saw staggering misappropriations of city funds through inflated contracts and widespread corruption.
The Tammany Hall political machine defined a culture where dubious dealings were commonplace. George Washington Plunkitt, a key Tammany figure, famously claimed there was such a thing as “honest graft.” This viewpoint reflects the challenges of accountability within large city governments.
The Adams Administration and Legal Challenges
Mayor Eric Adams faced significant scrutiny regarding allegations of bribery and campaign finance fraud. He was accused of soliciting illegal donations to secure public matching funds amounting to $10 million. However, his case was ultimately dismissed by the Trump administration’s Justice Department following his cooperation with immigration enforcement efforts.
Despite the dismissal, historians discuss the implications of corruption in any mayoral administration, especially one managing a vast government with over 300,000 employees and a $116 billion budget. Terry Golway, an expert on Tammany Hall, noted that scandals are often inevitable in such a large political landscape.
Other Mayors with Corruption Allegations
- Jimmy Walker: The mayor from the 1920s faced allegations of accepting cash gifts from vendors but was never charged.
- William O’Dwyer: This mayor resigned in 1950 amid a scandal involving police bribery but later secured a position as ambassador to Mexico.
- Ed Koch: While not personally implicated, his administration faced criticism for placing powerful political allies in key agencies, leading to widespread corruption.
- Mike Bloomberg: He avoided scandal for most of his tenure but was entangled in a major fraud case linked to the CityTime project, which cost taxpayers $600 million.
- Bill de Blasio: He came close to indictment after a federal investigation into fundraising activities but was never charged.
The pattern of corruption in New York City’s leadership raises questions about accountability and governance. As Adams navigates his tenure, the scrutiny over past scandals may impact his legacy.
