Eric Adams gave Mayor de Blasio the benefit of the doubt Thursday after the city Department of Investigation found that Hizzoner and his family misused NYPD resources for a variety of personal and political reasons.
Adams, who as the Democratic nominee in next month’s mayoral election is all but certain to become de Blasio’s successor, told reporters at a campaign event in Brooklyn that he hadn’t digested the entire 49-page report from the Department of Investigation.
“[But] I’m very sensitive when it comes down to families,” said Adams, Brooklyn’s borough president. “If his children, if his wife — there were credible threats, then we must do everything that’s needed to ensure they are safe.”
The Department of Investigation report concluded de Blasio used his NYPD-assigned security detail to inappropriately run errands for him and his family, including helping his daughter move, chauffeuring his son to college and picking up meals for the mayor.
The report also concluded de Blasio used nearly $320,000 in taxpayer cash to have his security detail join him on the campaign trail during his failed 2020 presidential bid — an expense he has refused to reimburse the city for.
In a combative press briefing Thursday morning, de Blasio claimed his use of the security detail on the 2020 campaign trail and elsewhere was in line with recommendations from the NYPD — and Adams, a former city police captain, backed up the mayor on that point.
“He may be a mayor, but he’s still a father, he’s still a husband, and he must do whatever is needed to protect his family,” said Adams, who has known de Blasio for decades. “So, I think we need to get a full understanding of the report: Did we speak to the Police Department to determine if the level of threat reached where he should have had security for his family? If that’s the case, then I lean more toward giving his family the protection they deserve.”
Betsy Gotbaum, executive director of the Citizens Union, a New York-based good-government group, begged to differ.
“While we understand the need to keep elected officials and their families safe, it is unfair to ask the taxpayers to subsidize the mayor’s political campaign and other personal trips and activities,” Gotbaum said. “Government resources should be used for government business. The mayor should reimburse these funds immediately.”
