Mayor Eric Adams has been working the phones to fund his legal battle as he is determined to hold onto his office and fight the federal indictment against him, The Post has learned.
Adams, a Democrat, previously had the backing of powerful allies including Robert Kraft, Adam Dell and Don Peebles, before his Sept. 24 indictment on charges of corruption and bribery.
Since then he’s not so many vocal supporters, but sources told The Post he has a healthy stream of donors on Wall Street who are less than favorable of Adams’ left wing replacement Jumaane Williams taking his place if he steps down.
Adams, 64, was arraigned September 27 where he pleaded not guilty. He has repeatedly vowed to fight the case against him and retained hotshot attorney Alex Spiro, who has previously represented Elon Musk, Mr. Beast and Alec Baldwin.
While Adams had already raised north of $1 million from more than 600 donors as of the end of June, according to public filings, it isn’t enough to sustain his legal costs, which sources told The Post could easily top $3 million.
However, since donations are capped at $5,000 per person, Adams must rely on many sources of support.
Adams’ longstanding support of the Jewish community – such as speaking at pro-Israel marches and hosting roundtables with students facing antisemitism – is also paying off, according to sources, who say he is getting advice as well donations from a number of high profile sources.
“When someone does a good deed you have an obligation to return it — he stood up while others walked away,” political strategist Hank Sheinkopf told The Post. “People aren’t going to walk away from someone who defended them.”
Notable Israel ally and hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman tweeted last Thursday he was “skeptical” of the charges against Adams, at least “when indictments are announced against someone whose views are not welcomed by the party in charge.”
One source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said he was sympathetic to the mayor in part because he was “very good to the Jewish people” and the possibility this was a “weaponization of the judicial system” but said they ultimately would “let it play out” instead of getting involved.
Another Jewish source who is weighing a possible donation called the charges “flimsy.”
On Monday, Adams filed to have the “extraordinarily vague” charges dismissed, saying they are brought by “zealous prosecutors… casting about” for a criminal case, and claiming they leaked the charges in order to smear him.
Adams has also previously claimed the charges were brought against him because he dared to criticize the Biden administration for its handling of the migrant crisis, which has engulfed New York City since 2022.
He said in a video uploaded online: “Make no mistake — you elected me to lead this city and lead it.
“I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit … I know I am innocent.”
Adams has also separately raised more than $3 million for his 2025 campaign but unlike presidential campaigns, he is not able to use those funds for his legal bills.
