Eric Adams Biography, Age, Wife, F.B.I, Campaign Violations, and Net Worth

Eric Adams Biography Information

Eric Adams, currently serving as the 110th mayor of New York City since 2022, is an American politician and former police officer with over two decades of service in the New York City Transit Police and the New York City Police Department.

His political career began in the New York State Senate from 2006 to 2013, representing Brooklyn’s 20th Senate district. He then served as Brooklyn Borough President, becoming the first African-American to hold the position, with consecutive re-elections in 2013 and 2017.

Elected as mayor in November 2021, Adams assumed office on January 1, 2022. Known for his tough-on-crime approach, he reinstated a plain-clothed police unit disbanded by the previous administration and implemented a zero-tolerance policy on unhoused individuals in subway cars, bolstering police presence.

Born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, on September 1, 1960, Adams grew up in challenging circumstances. Raised in a rat-infested Bushwick tenement, his family’s financial struggles forced him to carry a bag of clothes to school in case of sudden eviction.

Despite hardships, his mother’s hard work allowed the family to move to South Jamaica, Queens, in 1968. Adams, the fourth of six children, joined a gang at 14, experiencing legal trouble but later finding inspiration to enter law enforcement after a violent encounter with NYPD officers. This incident, combined with encouragement from a local pastor, motivated him to reform police culture from within.

As mayor, Adams faced controversy when his phones and iPad were seized by the FBI in November 2023 as part of a corruption probe into campaign fundraising.

Eric Adams Education Background

Adams completed his high school education at Bayside High School in Queens in January 1979, although he faced challenges in maintaining satisfactory grades. While working as a mechanic and a mailroom clerk at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, he pursued higher education.

Adams earned an associate degree from the New York City College of Technology, a bachelor’s degree from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and an M.P.A. from Marist College. Remarkably, his academic performance significantly improved after being diagnosed with dyslexia in college, leading to a transformation from a D student to making the dean’s list.

Eric Adams Career

Adams served as an officer in both the New York City Transit Police and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for a span of 22 years. His motivation to join the police force stemmed from the mistreatment he experienced at the hands of the NYPD during his youth. He has expressed a desire to bring about reform from within the system.

Adams graduated second in his class from the New York City Police Academy in 1984 and began his career in the New York City Transit Police before transitioning to the NYPD after the merger of the two. His assignments included precincts in Greenwich Village, Greenpoint, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill.

In 1986, Adams, working as a plainclothes officer, was mistakenly confronted by fellow officers who raised their guns at him, believing him to be a suspect. During the 1990s, Adams held the position of president of the Grand Council of Guardians, an African-American patrolmen’s association.

He collaborated with the Nation of Islam in patrolling crime-ridden housing projects and even appeared on stage with Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam. Adams suggested that Mayor David Dinkins meet with Farrakhan and consider hiring the Nation of Islam’s security company for housing project patrols, drawing criticism for his association with Farrakhan, who had made antisemitic remarks.

In 1995, Adams served as an escort for Mike Tyson upon his release from jail following a rape conviction. He co-founded the advocacy group “100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care” in response to Rudy Giuliani’s election as mayor, aiming for criminal justice reform and speaking out against police brutality and racial profiling. The group also conducted tutorials for black male youth on interacting with the police.

Adams, a first responder during the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, faced surveillance and investigation by the NYPD in 2006 for critiquing Mayor Michael Bloomberg on television while serving as a police officer. He retired from the police force with the rank of captain that same year.

Adams had harbored political aspirations since the 1990s, with a goal of becoming the Mayor of New York City. However, his political journey faced challenges, including a failed bid for Congress in 1994 and a controversial comment during the 1993 mayoral election. He switched party affiliation to Republican in 1997 and returned to the Democratic Party in 2001, citing dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership as the reason for his temporary switch.

Eric Adams Mayor of New York City

Adams had been contemplating a mayoral run in New York for a while, and on November 17, 2020, he officially declared his candidacy for the 2021 New York City mayoral election. Among Democrats in the race, he was a leading fundraiser, second only to Raymond McGuire in terms of the amount raised.

Running as a moderate Democrat, Adams focused his campaign on issues of crime and public safety, opposing the defund the police movement and advocating for police reform. Public health and the city’s economy were also prioritized.

His campaign initiatives included proposals for an expanded local tax credit for low-income families, investment in underperforming schools, and improvements to public housing. Adams faced criticism for attending an indoor fundraiser with 18 people during the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after announcing his mayoral run. The controversy continued with another fundraiser in Queens, where Adams defended the event’s compliance with pandemic restrictions.

Adams, a former police officer, initially opposed the NYPD’s “stop and frisk” policy during his State Senate tenure but supported it in his 2021 mayoral campaign. Despite trailing in polls behind Andrew Yang for much of the race, Adams gained traction in May and emerged as the frontrunner in the final weeks. Crime rates in New York increased leading up to the election, potentially benefiting Adams, who positioned himself as a tough-on-crime candidate.

Throughout the campaign, Adams faced questions about his residency, with critics suggesting that he actually resides in New Jersey. Adams secured a come-from-behind victory in the Democratic primary on July 6, 2021, using ranked-choice voting, defeating opponents such as Kathryn Garcia, Maya Wiley, and Andrew Yang. Following the primary, Adams faced criticism for hosting political fundraisers and vacationing in upscale locations, which some argued contradicted his “blue-collar” mayor image.

In the general election, Adams, a Democrat, was heavily favored against Republican Curtis Sliwa and won with 67.4% of the vote on November 2, 2021. He garnered support from various elected officials, labor unions, and media outlets during the primary.

Adams announced his transition team, led by Sheena Wright, CEO of United Way of New York City. After his election, Adams reaffirmed his commitment to reinstate a plainclothes police unit dealing with gun violence.

He also expressed plans to take his first three paychecks as Mayor in Bitcoin, declaring his intent to make New York City a hub for the cryptocurrency industry. Adams outlined further post-election plans, including reinstating the “gifted and talented” school program, improving relations with New York State, reviewing property taxes, and reducing agency budgets by 3% to 5%. Additionally, he took a trip to Ghana on December 2, 2021, where he visited the Elmina Castle.

Eric Adams Campaign Violations

On November 2, FBI agents confiscated three phones and two laptops belonging to the primary fundraiser for Adams’ mayoral campaigns. Subsequently, on November 6, 2023, the FBI seized Adams’ iPad and phone.

Agents, armed with a search warrant, approached the mayor on the street, requested his security detail to step aside, and proceeded to take possession of his devices. Adams’ attorney stated that he promptly complied with the FBI’s request.

Earlier, on November 2, 2023, FBI agents had conducted a search at the residence of Adams’ chief fundraiser, seizing two laptop computers. In response, Adams released a statement affirming his full cooperation with law enforcement and asserting that he had nothing to conceal.

Eric Adams F.B.I Investigations

In a significant escalation of the federal corruption investigation, FBI agents seized electronic devices belonging to Mayor Eric Adams earlier this week. The action was part of the probe into whether his 2021 campaign collaborated with the Turkish government and others to funnel money into its funds.

The agents approached the mayor on the street, asked his security detail to step away, and, under a court-authorized warrant, confiscated at least two cell phones and an iPad. These devices were returned to the mayor within a few days.

Adams, a retired police captain, has not been accused of wrongdoing and is cooperating with federal authorities, according to his lawyer Boyd Johnson. The FBI had previously searched the home of Adams’ chief fund-raiser on November 2, seizing two laptop computers, iPhones, and a folder labeled “Eric Adams.”

The investigation centers on potential campaign finance law violations involving Adams’ campaign, the Turkish government, a Brooklyn-based developer, and Bay Atlantic University.

The warrant also explores the use of New York City’s public matching program and whether benefits were provided in exchange for campaign donations. Adams stated that he expects his staff to follow the law and is confident he has nothing to hide. This marks a significant development in the campaign contribution investigation involving the mayor.

Eric Adams Age

Adams was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, on September 1, 1960. He is 63 years old as of 2023.

Eric Adams Wife | Eric Adams Personal Life | Eric Adams Family

Adams has never been married but shares a son named Jordan Coleman with his former girlfriend, Chrisena Coleman. Jordan is a graduate of American University and has pursued a career as a filmmaker and television actor.

Currently, Adams is in a relationship with Tracey Collins, who serves as the Senior Youth Development Director for the New York City Department of Education. Known as the “Nightlife Mayor,” Adams has gained this nickname due to his habit of frequently enjoying the city’s nightlife on Friday and Saturday nights.

He follows a non-denominational Christian faith. In September 2023, Adams, along with New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban, joined the Prince Hall Freemasons and attained the status of a 32nd Degree Member of the Scottish Rite. He often mentions Mahatma Gandhi as a source of inspiration.

Eric Adams Salary

Adams earns $258, 000 annually working as the New York City Mayor.

Eric Adams Net Worth

New York City Mayor Eric Adams possesses a significant net worth of $16 million as of 2023. In addition to his annual salary of $258,000, Adams accumulates substantial income through lobbying initiatives and entrepreneurial pursuits. Over the past few years, his net worth has experienced a remarkable surge, witnessing an approximate 300% increase.

Eric Adams Body Measurements