NYC Finance Board Again Blocks $3.4 Million for Adams Campaign

The New York City Campaign Finance Board on 15 July again withheld roughly $3.4 million in public matching funds from Mayor Eric Adams’ re-election bid, citing the campaign’s continuing failure to produce donor records requested last November. Board chair Frederick Schaffer said the documents remain outstanding and that the board’s investigation into the campaign is ongoing. The decision follows a federal court ruling last week that barred the board from relying on Adams’ now-dismissed corruption indictment but affirmed its authority to deny funds when campaigns do not meet disclosure requirements. Adams’ team had argued the ruling would clear the way for payment, yet the board maintained that eligibility cannot be demonstrated until the records are provided. Tuesday’s meeting also released about $1 million to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and roughly $135,000 to independent candidate Jim Walden. Independent contender Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa did not receive funds after declining to apply in this round. The latest denial leaves Adams—running as an independent this November—without public financing as he confronts well-funded opponents and heightened scrutiny over his fundraising practices.