Columbia Journalism Community Reports on the Adams Administration

October 29, 2024
Columbia Journalism School alumni, faculty and students have been investigating Mayor Eric Adams and his administration, uncovering truths and breaking stories on the case.

Tracking Resignations

Dana Rubinstein, '08 M.S., continues to cover developments of the investigation into the Adams Administration for The New York Times.

Maya Kaufman, '18 M.S. Stabile, a New York health care reporter for POLITICO, reported how Timothy Pearson — an aide to Mayor Adams and one of his closest confidants — had pushed FDNY officials to contract with Remark Holdings, an AI company that the federal government has scrutinized. The day after Kaufman’s story was published, Pearson resigned.

Kaufman also reported that a key ally to Mayor Adams overruled the results of a formal bidding process at his agency earlier this year and steered a lucrative city lease to a major political donor.

Dana Rubinstein, '08 M.S., reported for The New York Times on the departure of Sheena Wright, the first deputy mayor of New York City, marking the seventh senior leader to leave City Hall as federal investigations into the Adams administration broaden.

Rubinstein broke this story on October 8 and continues to report on aspects of the investigation, including another corruption probe related to City’s leasing of commercial properties.

Alumni Investigations

Evan Simko-Bednarski, '14 M.S., reported on the connection between Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan and Mayor Adams' campaign for The New York Daily News

Evan Simko-Bednarski, '14 M.S., reported for The New York Daily News on how Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan had donated money to Mayor Adams' campaign while lobbying City Hall officials on business issues related to Madison Square Garden.

Shayna Jacobs, ''09 M.S., reported on Mayor Adams' first court appearance for his bribery charges for The Washington Post. 

Chris Gelardi, '17 M.S., and Bianca Fortis, '20 M.S. Stabile, reported on the political friendship between Mayor Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul since Adams' indictment for New York Focus.

Student Reporting

Eleanor Hildebrandt, ‘25 M.S., co-wrote a piece highlighting questions New Yorkers may have about the Adams Administration investigation.
Deep Vakil, 25 M.S., co-wrote a piece highlighting questions New Yorkers may have about the Adams Administration investigation.

Eleanor Hildebrandt, '25 M.S., and Deep Vakil, '25 M.S., looked to address several of the questions occupying New Yorkers during the Mayor Adams investigation for Columbia News Service

Stabile Fellows Huiyee Chiew, '25 M.S. Stabile, and Leonardo Bevilacqua, '25 M.S. Stabile, reported the implications of the Mayor Adams indictment in the 2025 mayoral race for Columbia News Service.

Larkin Smith, '25 M.S. Stabile, reported on the details of Mayor Adams’ indictment going back over ten years for Columbia News Service

Addressing the Implications of the Case

In light of recent developments, Columbia Journalism School co-hosted a conversation with Vital City on the political and legal implications of the allegations against Mayor Adams on October 15. 

The virtual panel featured Dean Jelani Cobb along with Errol Louis of Spectrum News NY1; Stan Brezenoff, former First Deputy Mayor under Mayor Ed Koch and Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Carrie H. Cohen, global co-chair at Morrison Foerster; Tom Robbins of CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism; and Basil Smikle, Professor at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies and an MSNBC Political Analyst. 

The group analyzed “How Bad Is It Really?” and worked to predict “What Comes Next?” Watch the full event here. 

Plus: 

  • Michelle Bocanegra, '20 M.S., reported on how a bill has been introduced in the New York City Council to give city officials more authority for The Gothamist.
  • Chris Bragg, '07 M.S., reported on Mayor Adams' ties to the Turkish government for New York Focus.
  • Elizabeth Kim '97 M.S., and Bahar Ostadan, '22 M.S., reported on Mayor Adams' appointment of Chauncey Parker as deputy mayor for public safety for The Gothamist.
  • David Freelander, '06 M.S., '07 M.A. Arts & Culture, reported on Mayor Eric Adams' political strategy to remain in office since his federal indictment for New York Magazine
  • Jeffery C. Mays, '97 M.S., and Stefanos Chen, '10 M.S., reported on businesses who had supported Mayor Adams for The New York Times.
  • Erica Orden, '06 M.S., reported for Politico on the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York who is prosecuting Mayor Adams.
  • Graham Rayman, '93 M.S., reported on the Department of Transportation's investigation of Mayor Adams' plan to install weapon detectors from Evolv Technologies in subway stations in an article for The New York Daily News.
  • Michael Rothfeld, '98 M.S., Dana Rubinstein, '08 M.S. and Bianca Pallaro, '21 M.S. Data Journalism, reported on how a former Mayor Adams administration official was charged with witness tampering for The New York Times. The official had instructed witnesses to lie to federal investigators who have been investigating the Adams administration.


For more reporting like this, discover the CJS2030 Democracy Initiative.