When 16 year old Wayne Valley Junior, Kelsey Lewis was asked “What’s your favorite Sabrina Carpenter song?,” she responded enthusiastically, “Oh, when ‘Espresso’ came out I really liked it. My mom actually got tired of me singing it all the time.” It seems overnight Sabrina Carpenter became extremely popular, with songs like Espresso topping the charts. But, it seems as Sabrina’s espresso cup is filling up with high praise and accolades, New York Mayor, Eric Adam’s cup is overflowing with fraud allegations.
Back in October in 2023, Sabrina filmed her rather suggestive “Feather” music video in a Grand Cathedral. The diocese, Jamie Gigantiello, who approved the secular, received backlash and this uncovered something far more sinister; Eric Adam’s corruption as the mayor of New York.
Adam’s was indicted on Sep 4, 2024, making him the first mayor in NYC history to face such charges. The ‘Feather’ video’s provocative nature caused a local uproar for Catholic residents who felt the video was blasphemy. The Diocese was scrutinized for his role for renting out the church and when people found out his connections with Frank Carone, Adam’s former chief of staff, he was brought under federal investigation. From here, the church was linked to the broader inquiry of Adam’s alleged duplicity. The FBI looked into Adam’s campaign and unveiled finance violations like accepting foreign bribes for exchange of political favors. He allegedly embezzled such funds through Church induced events and paid even more money to conceal this.
This, however, is not the only instance of Adam’s being accused of corruption. NYC citizens have expressed through protest and social media post their distaste for some of his policies such as raising MTA prices and using sly tactics to insure citizens pay it. In an interview with 59 year old Brooklyn resident Donna Hitchman, she revealed some of the issues locals feel towards Mayor Adams. “We are tired,” lamented Hitchman. “I’ve lived in this city since I was 20. I never felt the need to buy a car because of how easy the subway is. Just today I paid almost $20 for the 2 and A train to and from work. As soon as I work for my money, I spend it trying to get back home.” As of August of 2023, MTA fare has increased to $2.90 and though it’s not much of a raise compared to the previous $2.75 it adds up. There are even reports of Adams hiring undercover cops to force citizens to pay the fare.
New York is a global social and financial hub and needs someone who has its best interest in mind to govern it, and Wayne Valley legal studies teacher, Mark Vesce agrees. “… Due to his indictment all policies instated while he was in office might become null and void. At the end of the day the leaders we swear owe it to us to be honest,” Vesce exclaims. When asked how this indictment might affect the next mayor’s approach to governance, he replied “The next mayor might need to be squeaky clean and do things by the book which ironically might be less effective.”
Though he is being called to do so, as of October 2024 Eric Adam’s has not resigned. Since the indictment, Adam has turned to the clergy for support and claims he is being targeted. In the professional opinion of Vesce, “resignation in a way admits guilt.” Mayor Eric Adam publicly claims his innocence against what he is alleged to have done and has shown no interest in resignation. While this isn’t the first time a politician has been accused of fraudulent acts, the allegations against Eric Adams serves as an admonition that probity is not just a vow to be elected– it’s a citizen’s constitutional right.