Not long after Eric Adams became the mayor of New York City, he quickly rewarded a cadre of loyalists with plum jobs in his administration. Now Mr. Adams is casting favor upon a new set of people looking out for his interests: defense lawyers.
A high-powered team from the law firm WilmerHale is representing the mayor in an investigation by prosecutors in the Southern District of New York over potential ties between his campaign and the Turkish government. The firm has already been paid more than $730,000 by the mayor’s five-month-old legal defense fund.
Mr. Adams intends to bring aboard Randy Mastro, a lawyer known for his aggressive tactics and roster of contentious clients and causes, to represent him as the city’s corporation counsel. Mr. Mastro would earn roughly $250,000 a year and would replace Sylvia Hinds-Radix, a former judge who has a more reserved style.
Another lawyer known for his high-profile clients and high fees has been hired by the city to represent Mr. Adams in a lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman in 1993 when he was a police officer. The lawyer, Alex Spiro, has represented Elon Musk; Jay-Z; the New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft; and Alec Baldwin.
If Mr. Mastro is nominated and confirmed by the City Council, he is expected to work with Mr. Spiro on the case. Mr. Adams, a Democrat who is running for re-election next year, has repeatedly denied the sexual assault allegations.
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