Adams Legal Defense Fund Almost $1 Million in Debt as Donations Dwindle
Fundraising Struggles
Mayor Eric Adams’ legal defense fund has raised only $2,200 from two donors over the last three months, as his expenses to battle federal corruption charges continue to mount ahead of an expected April trial, new filings show.
Donors
The donors include Tzvi Odzer, who donated $2,000 to the fund. Odzer is a convicted bank fraudster with multiple aliases who was pardoned by outgoing President Donald Trump on his last day in office in 2021. Odzer also gave $1,000 to Adams’ reelection campaign in 2023, but did not respond to a phone message seeking comment. The only other new donor to the fund is Alan Sclar, an attorney who also previously donated to Adams’ reelection campaign.
Haul and Refunds
The trickle of recent donations raises Adams’ total haul for his legal defense to about $1.65 million. The trust has refunded roughly $167,000 in contributions, many of which came from family members of people engaged in business with city government, who are prohibited from donating.
Expenses
The trust has paid out more than $2.5 million since it was established in late 2023, shortly after federal agents seized Adams’ cell phones and other electronic devices in a probe of his 2021 mayoral campaign. The lack of fundraising in recent months has grown the trust’s negative balance to roughly $900,000, largely because of mammoth legal fees to Adams’ high-priced defense team that were paid in the most recent quarter.
Legal Fees
In October, the trust paid a $200,000 retainer to Quinn Emmanuel, the firm of celebrity lawyer Alex Spiro, who Adams hired a month after being indicted by the office of the Manhattan U.S. Attorney for allegedly conspiring to take illicit donations from Turkish foreign nationals in exchange for favorable treatment by the government. In November, the trust paid out $411,000 to the firm Adams initially hired to handle his defense amid the federal probe, Wilmer Cutler, which has reaped the vast majority of funds paid out to date.
Future Payments
The figures were submitted to the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board by Adams’ legal defense trust, which is in care of his mayoral campaign attorney Vito Pitta, of Pitta LLP. When asked about paying for his mounting legal bills, Adams insisted he wasn’t concerned. "I have legal bills and I’m going to pay my bills. That’s how I live my life. I will pay my bills," Adams said.
Conclusion
Adams’ legal defense fund faces a significant shortfall as he prepares to face federal corruption charges in April. While the mayor has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, the mounting legal bills pose a significant challenge for his campaign and the trust established to defend him.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much has the Adams legal defense fund raised?
- The fund has raised about $1.65 million.
- Who are the donors to the fund?
- The recent donors include Tzvi Odzer and Alan Sclar.
- How much has the fund refunded?
- The fund has refunded roughly $167,000 in contributions.
- What are the total expenses for the fund?
- The fund has paid out more than $2.5 million since its establishment.
