New York Lieutenant Governor candidate Adrienne Adams has been fined $3,585 by the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) for violating campaign finance laws. The penalty stems from Adams reimbursing herself with campaign funds for travel to the 2024 Democratic National Convention held in Chicago.
The CFB determined that Adams, currently the former City Council Speaker, converted campaign funds for personal use. Her former campaign treasurer, Adjoa Esinam Gzifa, stated that the funds were used for political travel at the invitation of the Democratic National Committee during a critical election cycle.
“Spending campaign funds for personal use is a big no-no and a law that should never be violated by a Council Speaker,” said Kyle Kennedy, legislative program manager at good government group Reinvent Albany. Kennedy added that candidates are provided with assistance to ensure compliance with campaign finance rules.
Adams' 2023 City Council campaign, which is not contesting the CFB's determination, will pay the fine from its campaign account. Gzifa asserted that the campaign is not in debt and that a prior transfer of approximately $200,000 to Adams' mayoral campaign account was an allowable transfer. Adams mounted a failed bid for the Democratic mayoral nomination last year.
Governor Kathy Hochul selected Adams as her running mate in February for her re-election campaign. The Republican candidates challenging Hochul and Adams, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, criticized the selection. Hood cited Adams' past policy initiatives, including a law that would have allowed non-citizens to vote in city elections, which was struck down by the state's highest court, and accused her of funneling campaign funds to herself.
"By picking Adrienne Adams as her running mate, Kathy Hochul has proven that protecting your wallet is her absolute lowest priority," Hood stated in a release. The incumbent governor's campaign declined to comment on the CFB's ruling.