How a top New York mayoral candidate used a charity to boost his profile

[brooklynite]

Politico

NEW YORK — Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams dipped into municipal coffers in 2016 to buy a pair of banners that spanned the columns outside Borough Hall, bearing the likeness of himself and his deputy.

The enormous tapestries were billed by Adams — now a leading candidate in the New York City mayor’s race — as a way to showcase the diversity of the borough’s leadership, but the display attracted criticism from good-government groups who said taxpayer money should not be used for self-promotion.

The admonition did not appear to stick.

Since taking office as borough president in 2014, Adams has had designs on the top job at City Hall. And in the intervening years, he has steered hundreds of thousands of dollars into an ethical gray area where charity and self-aggrandizement intermingle — with fundraising practices that have drawn the scrutiny of investigators and government watchdog groups.

The yearslong boost to Adams’ name recognition is now coming in handy as the June 22 Democratic mayoral primary approaches: His campaign strategy relies on besting the competition in key areas of his home borough.

[riversedge]

1. Sounds like he is a crooked man.