Mayoral candidates spar over indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James
MANHATTAN, New York (WABC) -- The controversy over the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James carried over onto the campaign trail for New York City's mayoral candidates on Friday.
The Democratic frontrunner, Zohran Mamdani, used the indictment of James to take aim at his opponent.
"Can you imagine Andrew Cuomo working with Tish James and Kathy Hochul to take on Donald Trump? This is a man who can't even say Tish James's name," he said. "This is a man who knows that the same donors that have put Donald Trump back in that White House are the ones who are funding his attempt, once again, to get to City Hall."
Unlike other Democrats, Cuomo did not explicitly defend James, initially. In a social media post, the former governor condemned partisan prosecutions, "Whether it comes from the right or the left, from prosecutors or politicians."
The Cuomo campaign later released a new statement specifically naming James.
"I know firsthand as the White House weaponized the DOJ against mewhen I was governor of New York and three other democratic states during the height of COVID and it's wrong that it appears to be happening with AG James and Former FBI Director Comey - it is part of why people have lost faith in the Justice system, the cornerstone of our democracy," the statement said.
It was the attorney general's own investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo that prompted his resignation in 2021. She later launched a brief, unsuccessful bid for his job.
Republican Curtis Sliwa was more direct on Friday.
"Maybe this should be a signal that all of these cross-indictments and 'lawfare' situations, depending on what side of the political parameter you are, need to come to an end," he said.
Mayor Eric Adams did not specifically defend James either. Instead, he launched into a tirade against the press corps and the federal indictment that he claims destroyed his political career.
"You didn't feel they weaponized me? I was! I was indicted for calling the fire department to do a building inspection," Adams said. "And many of you who covered me during that time were salivating at the thought that Eric will go to jail for 33 years. So, don't start asking me about what do I think about what's going on now. I want to know, what did y'all think about when my life was destroyed in this city? And I wish I had a mic so I can drop it right now."
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
