New York City mayor
What are the accusations against NYC Mayor Eric Adams regarding campaign contributions?
Eric Adams faces serious accusations that when he was Brooklyn borough president, he accepted over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions in exchange for his influence. Additionally, he's accused of accepting illegal contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign from foreign sources and planning to solicit more illegal contributions for his next election. These allegations suggest a pattern of corruption involving both his time as borough president and during his successful run for mayor. Despite the gravity of these charges, Adams has officially pleaded not guilty to all accusations, as he continues to face mounting political pressure and scrutiny.
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CBS News
00:16 - 00:38
What allegation did Danielle Sassoon make regarding Mayor Eric Adams and his attorneys?
Danielle Sassoon alleged a quid pro quo arrangement during an in-person meeting between Adams' attorneys and Department of Justice officials. According to her account, the mayor's representatives offered to help enforce immigration crackdowns in New York City (despite its sanctuary city status) if the DOJ would make the corruption case against Adams disappear. This allegation goes to "the heart of the matter" and was significant enough that Sassoon resigned last week. She perceived this as an inappropriate attempt to trade policy changes for legal leniency, which raised serious ethical concerns about the mayor's administration.
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CBS News
03:49 - 04:29
What unprecedented power does Governor Hochul have regarding Mayor Adams?
Governor Hochul possesses the extraordinary authority to potentially ask Mayor Adams to resign or even remove him from office directly amid corruption allegations. This power is unprecedented in New York State's more than 230-year history, making it a remarkable constitutional authority that has never been exercised before. The situation has created significant political tension as the governor weighs this dramatic option while facing pressure from the public and city officials calling for Adams to step down.
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CBS News
00:52 - 01:10
What power does Governor Hochul have regarding Mayor Eric Adams amid the corruption allegations?
Governor Hochul possesses the extraordinary and unusual power to remove Mayor Adams from office amid corruption allegations. This authority allows her to potentially ask for his resignation or directly remove him, though she is not taking this decision lightly. The situation has intensified following a Department of Justice memo and the resignation of Acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon in protest, claiming a potential quid pro quo. With mounting public pressure and calls for Adams to resign, Governor Hochul has issued a statement confirming she is actively considering her options regarding this unprecedented situation.
Watch clip answer (00:53m)CBS News
01:11 - 02:04
What corruption allegations is New York City Mayor Eric Adams facing?
Eric Adams is accused of accepting over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions while serving as Brooklyn borough president in exchange for political influence. He also allegedly accepted illegal foreign contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign and was planning to solicit more illegal funds for his upcoming election. These serious allegations have led to calls for his resignation from the public and city officials. Governor Kathy Hochul has met with political leaders to consider removing Adams from office. Despite these charges, Adams has pleaded not guilty, while the Justice Department recently asked prosecutors to drop the case, citing concerns about its impact on Adams' ability to govern.
Watch clip answer (00:46m)CBS News
00:00 - 00:46
What makes the Justice Department's intervention in the Eric Adams corruption case so unusual?
The Justice Department's intervention is highly unusual because it issued an order to dismiss charges that was admittedly not based on the facts of the case or the law. Former Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance indicates there is little precedent for such action, creating significant legal controversy. While there have been historical instances where the executive branch directed government attorneys to take certain actions (like in the Saturday Night Massacre), Vance emphasizes that this current situation stands apart. The unusual nature of the intervention has prompted resignations and raised serious questions about the Department's adherence to legal norms and ethical standards.
Watch clip answer (00:45m)
CBS News
02:36 - 03:22