Eric Adams’ legal fund approaches $1M mark as donations dwindle

New York City Mayor Eric Adams‘ legal defense fund is approaching $1 million in the red as his legal bills pile up and donations dwindle. A new filing submitted with New York’s Conflict of Interest Board Wednesday, Jan. 15, said the trust he uses to cover legal fees in his federal corruption indictment now has $925,000 in outstanding bills, according to news outlet The City.

The trust’s surging debt comes amid a lack of fundraising in recent months. Likewise, according to the most recent reporting period—which spans mid-October through this week—Adams also paid Alex Spiro, the lead defense attorney in his corruption case, a $200,000 retainer fee.

During the same reporting period, Adams raised just $2,200.

Tzvi Odzer donated $2,000 of that. He’s a businessman convicted of bank fraud and was pardoned by then-President Donald Trump on his last day in office in 2021. 

The rest of the money came from Alan Sclar, an attorney who previously donated to Adams’ reelection campaign.

The mayor was also forced to return $2,200 in donations. It was found that the money came from entities doing business with the city.

Adams’ legal fees will likely increase as he gets ready for trial in April. His trial is just weeks before the June Democratic mayoral primary. 

The New York Daily News said Spiro, who had Elon Musk and Jay-Z as clients, is known to charge as much as $2,000 per hour. 

When Adams reportedly had about $43,000 in debt in October, he insisted he wasn’t concerned about paying it.

“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 at the time.

Adams pleaded not guilty to charges he accepted bribes and illegal straw donations for his 2021 and 2025 campaigns from Turkish government operatives in exchange for political favors. 

Adams will travel to Mar-a-Lago for a meeting with the president-elect on Friday, Jan. 17, according to a statement from the mayor’s office released late Thursday.

In the statement, New York City Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy said that Adams “has made quite clear his willingness to work with President-elect Trump and his incoming administration on behalf of New Yorkers — and that partnership with the federal government is critical to New York City’s success.”

Adams has not commented on The City’s legal defense fund report.