President-elect Trump says he will 'look at' pardon for New York City Mayor Eric Adams
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- President-elect Donald Trump on Monday said in a far-ranging news conference that he would consider pardoning embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is facing federal fraud and corruption charges.
"Yeah I would," consider pardoning Adams, Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, before saying that he was not familiar with the specifics of the charges Adam is facing.
Adams is accused of accepting flight upgrades and other luxury travel perks valued at $100,000 along with illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. Multiple members of his administration have also come under investigation, including Ingrid Lewis-Martin, chief advisor and longtime aide to Mayor Adams, who announced Sunday that she is resigning from her post.
A grand jury in Lower Manhattan has been hearing evidence against Lewis-Martin and could vote on an indictment as soon as this week.
On Monday, Lewis-Martin's attorney Arthur Aidala said he expects his client to be indicted on criminal charges related to alleged improper gifts, saying "we are pretty certain that one day this week we are going to be appearing in court at 100 Centre Street."
Lewis-Martin's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, told reporters at a news conference Monday that she had been invited to speak with the grand jury considering charges but declined because the outcome of the investigation appeared to be predetermined. He said they wanted the opportunity to clarify emails and text messages that could get taken out of context but are "easily explained away about what they mean."
The case involves gifts given to Lewis-Martin, Aidala said, but he declined to discuss further details and claimed - without providing evidence - the case was politically motivated.
"Pieces of puzzles are going to be put together to make it look as horrible as possible," Aidala said as he sat alongside Lewis-Martin at his Manhattan office. "But we know the truth, and the truth is Ingrid Lewis-Martin never broke the law."
Lewis-Martin also delivered an impassioned defense of her career in public service at her attorney's Midtown office.
"I am being falsely accused of something. I don't know exactly what it is, but I know that I was told that it is something that is illegal, and I have never done anything that is illegal in my capacity in government," she said. "And during my tenure, I have never taken any gifts, money, anything. I have not made any arrangements in advance to take any gifts or money, or to have any gifts or money given to a family member or friend in order for me to do my job."
Aidala said he believed Manhattan prosecutors were targeting Martin to get her to cooperate against Adams. She would likely be indicted alongside others, he added, without specifying who else might face charges.
A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney's office said in an email that it would be "inappropriate" to comment "because this Office acts with the utmost integrity."
The investigation into Lewis-Martin and several other people centers around the city's leasing of commercial properties. It came to light when she returned from a trip to Japan in September and her phones were seized at the airport and her Brooklyn home searched.
The investigation, by the Manhattan District Attorney's office, is separate from the ongoing federal investigation into the mayor.
As for the mayor himself, the New York City Campaign Finance Board denied public matching funds for his reelection bid on Monday.
Nineteen candidates were given matching funds for their 2025 campaigns but Adams was not one of them.
The board rarely gives public comment as to why a candidate is not getting funds but they made a rare exception.
The board chair said it's in the public interest that he speaks out about the reasoning behind the decision.
"After thoroughly reviewing all available information, including the details of the indictment of Mayor Adams, the board has determined that there is reason to believe the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program in violation of law, including the campaign Finance Act and board rules," Frederick P. Schaffer, board chair, said.
Mayor Adams addressed the decision at a briefing on Monday afternoon.
"As New Yorkers know, I do not sit back and complain about hurdles, I get off those hurdles whenever people tell me what I can't do, I continue to show that I can do," Adams said. "And I've got that can do energy and spirit and I have enough money to put on a good campaign and get my message out and continue to lead in this area."
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