Who is Eric Adams? After a single, tumultuous term as mayor, we’re not much closer to definitively answering that question.
At various points and to various people over the last four years, the mayor has been the future of the Democratic Party and MAGA’s man on the ground in New York. For federal prosecutors, at least for a time, Adams was a corrupt official who engaged in campaign finance fraud and illegal favor-trading with foreign governments. Adams is a magic-gems guy, a t-shirt guy, a fish-eating vegan. Adams is a kid who overcame poverty and dyslexia to rise through the ranks of the NYPD and public office. He’s accused of sexual assault. He lays his head in Brooklyn—or perhaps it’s New Jersey? Maybe he barely lays his head at all because he’s out with the boys and up with the men.
Browse the mayor’s connections:
… or take a look at everyone:
Randy Mastro
With Mayor Adams thinking about his next act, the former first deputy mayor to Rudy Giuliani is now “guiding every conceivable aspect of this administration.”
Rich Maroko
In 2021, the head of the powerful Hotel and Gaming Trades Council bet big on Eric Adams becoming mayor. But with three downstate casinos in the cards, he’s shifted his support to Zohran Mamdani.
Tony Argento
New York City’s homegrown film studio mogul is a Gotham power broker out of central casting, and he allegedly used his cash and connections to bribe the Adams administration to block a street safety project in Greenpoint.
Steve Cohen
Steve Cohen, one of the biggest outside spenders on behalf of Eric Adams, wants two things—a Mets championship and a casino.
Frank Carone
New York City’s short king is still, for now, the most connected man in town.
Jay-Z
Jay-Z is a billionaire whose dreams of a Times Square casino were vaporized.
Marc Holliday
If you lose your Times Square casino bid, it’s best not to throw a public tantrum.
Winnie Greco
As a prolific fundraiser for Eric Adams, Winnie Greco connected the Chinese business community to the future mayor. Also—a chip bag full of cash???
Ydanis Rodriguez
A ride-or-die Eric Adams campaign surrogate scored a powerful post overseeing NYC’s streets, but so far that has meant taking a back seat to the mayor’s bureaucrats.
Brianna Suggs
Eric Adams hired her when she was 19. Six and a half years and millions of dollars in mayoral campaign fundraising later, the FBI raided her apartment.
Evan Thies
A political consultant and one of the main architects of Adams’s mayoral election, whom Adams described as “the man that captured my voice” and “my brother.”
Brendan McGuire
When it comes to fending off a public corruption case, it doesn’t hurt to have a lawyer who has friends in the Southern District.
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Bichotte Hermelyn is helping to stifle progressives at every turn, just how Eric Adams likes it.
Rana Abbasova
Abbasova’s job is to keep City Hall friendly with foreign governments. And maybe…they all became a little too friendly.
Vito Pitta
The grandson of a hotel union boss whose family law firm is heading Adams’s legal defense fund.
Moishe Indig
The ultra-connected Hasidic community leader who loves to play host to powerful New Yorkers—and kingmaker come election season.
David Paterson
The former governor has connections to everyone—but goes way back with Mayor Eric Adams.
Benny Polatseck
A City Hall staffer that often also worked on Adams’s campaign, Polatseck is an example of how badly Adams blurred the lines.
Jessica Tisch
A “competent” top cop with bottomless pockets—and an eye trained on Gracie Mansion?
Jasmine Ray
Adams’s girlfriend when he was Brooklyn borough president, he appointed her his sports czar, a newly created position with a $160,000 salary. She then wrote a book about their relationship.
Eleonora Srugo
This high-powered real estate agent can be found at Casa Cipriani or Gracie Mansion.
Tracey Collins
Adams’s longtime girlfriend, who lives in Fort Lee, New Jersey, is rarely seen in his presence, and got a cushy promotion and a big raise after he became mayor.
Philip Banks III
From unindicted co-conspirator in a federal corruption case to Mayor Adams’s deputy mayor for public safety in less than a decade.
Jeffrey Maddrey
Once the top uniformed cop in the NYPD, despite a checkered history that includes an alleged affair with a subordinate and intervening in the arrest of a former colleague in custody for allegedly brandishing a gun at kids.
Edward Caban
The Adams administration’s second police commissioner is a team player and a Masonic brother.
Dr. Phil
You don’t need a degree in psychology to know Dr. Phil and Eric Adams are cut from the same reactionary cloth when it comes to topics like immigration and policing.
Lisa White
Eric Adams’s former roommate (or is it landlord?) in charge of NYPD officer morale—too bad she tanks it.
Scott Sartiano
How did the owner of Zero Bond score a seat on the Met’s board? Probably not based on his resume, which we got our hands on.
Bishop Lamor Whitehead
The “Bling Bishop” and Eric Adams apparently don’t speak anymore, but both say that God is on their side.
Michael Mazzio
Michael Mazzio found himself getting shut out of the lucrative tow truck industry—until he found a friendly ear in City Hall.
Robert and Zhan Petrosyants
Fun-loving twins who play host to the mayor at their trendy Italian eatery.
Billy Bildstein
The owner of Avant Gardner and Brooklyn Mirage fought the SLA and won (with help from powerful friends).
Sheena Wright
The nonprofit professional (with a somewhat checkered past) is quickly rising through the ranks at City Hall.
David Banks
One of the Banks brothers, now finds himself at the top of a teetering schools system.
Louis Molina
As Correction commissioner, he stymied jail oversight and presided over dozens of deaths of people in custody.
Tiffany Raspberry
A lobbyist and long-time friend now has a lot of power in City Hall—and she’s not afraid to use it.
Eric Ulrich
Gambling, tow trucks, pizza: the Manhattan DA’s indictment against Adams’s former building commissioner has it all.
Ingrid Lewis-Martin
Already a legendary and uniquely powerful force within the Adams administration, the mayor’s most fiercely loyal deputy stares down a federal investigation into her boss’ campaign.
Fabien Levy
Levy has risen in influence as his colleagues in the City Hall press shop have departed, and the deputy mayor runs interference for the mayor in his dealings with the press.
Bernard Adams
Younger brother Bernard Adams couldn’t make it past the City’s ethics board—but his wife, Sharon, sure did.
Dwayne Montgomery
An old friend the mayor doesn’t care to claim, indicted in a straw donor scheme.
Timothy Pearson
Timothy Pearson is Mayor Adams’s right-hand man—a hand that, at least once, curled into a fist.
