Federal prosecutors recently indicted Mayor Adams on charges related to defrauding the city’s campaign finance system. The allegations against him are serious, and given his pattern of withholding information, the Campaign Finance Board should withhold any new public funds to his campaign until he is cleared of wrongdoing. The public matching funds program in NYC allows candidates to receive an 8-to-1 match for small-dollar contributions and aims to reduce reliance on big money donors. This program has been successful in increasing voter participation and creating a more diverse legislature.
The CFB has been trying for three years to obtain accurate campaign records and information from Adams about his 2021 campaign, with an audit revealing a series of improper contributions and expenditures. The U.S. attorney’s indictment alleges that his campaign knowingly defrauded the program by soliciting illegal donations from foreign individuals and passing them off as small donations eligible for matching funds.
While the CFB has issued fines to other candidates in the past, the issues surrounding Adams’ campaign are beyond normal mistakes. Some city lawmakers are proposing new legislation to tighten requirements for public funding access, and the CFB has changed its rules to make it easier to cut funding to non-cooperating campaigns.
The mayor should not receive any additional public funds until these issues are resolved, as the public matching program is a contract of mutual respect between taxpayers and candidates. The urgency to address this issue is crucial as the next funding distribution is approaching. It is important for the CFB to uphold the integrity of the public funds program and hold the mayor accountable for any wrongdoing in his campaign.
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