The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for May 30, 2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams had his bribery and corruption charges dropped by the U.S. Department of Justice under questionable circumstances in April. Because of those charges, the New York State Campaign Finance Board denied Adams matching campaign funds.  Adams is now suing to get those funds. 

Mayor Adams was accused last December by the Biden DOJ with taking campaign donations from foreign nationals and businessmen, allegedly using “straw donors” to make them appear as legitimate donations.  He was also accused of doing favors in exchange for luxury travel and attempting to conceal those transactions. 

We reported in February that the DOJ dropped bribery and corruption charges against Adams, after Adams visited Trump at Mar-a-lago.  An apparent Trump directive to drop the charges to the DOJ’s Southern District of New York resulted in the resignations of seven experienced prosecutors.  

As a result of the corruption charges and paperwork omissions, the New York Campaign Finance Board denied Adams $4 million dollars in matching funds for his campaign from the state’s taxpayer-funded campaign finance option. Now that the charges have been dropped, Politico reports that Adams – now an independent candidate –  is now suing the board to recover $3.4 million dollars of those denied funds.  The Campaign Finance Board will reportedly revisit Adams eligibility for funding in July. 
Find our past reports on the accusations against Adams at    AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

U.S. Department of Justice – New York City Mayor Eric Adams Charged With Bribery And Campaign Finance Offenses
Brennan Center for Justice – New York City Campaign Finance Board Denies Mayor Eric Adams Public Matching Funds; Brennan Center Reacts 
American Democracy Minute – Trump Fires Office of Government Ethics Chief Monday; Hours Later, DOJ Drops Campaign Corruption Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
Politico – Eric Adams sues Campaign Finance Board for denying him millions in matching funds

NY Daily News – Mayor Adams sues NYC Campaign Finance Board for $3.4 million in denied funds

NYC Campaign Finance Board – Finance Reports – Eric Adams

Groups Taking Action:

Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause NY, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

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Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EricAdams #NewYork #PoliticalCorruption #NYC

The post With His Corruption Charges Dropped by the Trump DOJ, NYC Mayor Eric Adams Sues NY Campaign Finance Board for Denying Matching Funds appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 17, 2025

On the heels of dropped charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams under suspicious circumstances, President Donald Trump has pardoned a former Kentucky state senator serving time for federal campaign finance fraud. Trump is also reportedly preparing to restructure and downsize DOJ’s public integrity units.

Former Kentucky state senator and 2016 Congressional candidate Brian Kelsey was sentenced to 21 months in 2023 for coordinating $80,000 in advertising with a national political organization, benefitting his campaign.  Additionally, he concealed the movement $91,000 from his state campaign fund and a nonprofit legal advocacy group, defrauding the Federal Election Commission.  Kelsey lost his appeals in the 6th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused the case.   Trump pardoned Kelsey, who pleaded guilty in 2022, after a mere two weeks in prison.  

The New York Times is reporting that the president is also preparing to restructure and downsize the U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Integrity section, which QUOTE “oversees the investigation and prosecution of all federal crimes affecting government integrity, including bribery of public officials, election crimes, and other related offenses.”  The Times reports that executive orders are expected in the coming weeks.

Trump has repeatedly claimed he is the victim of a “weaponized” Justice Department, after he was charged with mishandling classified documents and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.  

We posted our resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Some podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

U.S. Department of Justice – Former Tennessee State Senator and Co-Conspirator Sentenced for Campaign Finance Scheme
Tennessee Bar Association – U.S. Supreme Court Denies Kelsey’s Appeal of Campaign Fraud Conviction
New York Times – (Paywall) – Trump Pardons Ex-Tennessee State Senator Imprisoned for Campaign Fraud
New York Times – (Paywall) – Justice Dept. Moving to Downsize Units Investigating Fraud and Corruption
CNN – Donald Trump’s criminal cases, in one place
Roll Call – Speech: Donald Trump Addresses the Staff at the Department of Justice – March 14, 2025
U.S. Department of Justice – Public Integrity Section

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington,  Public Citizen

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #PoliticalCorruption #USDOJ #DonaldTrump #PublicIntegrity

The post What Corruption? Trump Pardons Former KY State Senator for Campaign Finance Fraud, and May Be Preparing to Dismantle DOJ Public Integrity Section appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 19, 2025

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

A federal judge sentenced former New Jersey U.S. Senator Bob Menendez January 29th to 11 years in prison for corruption charges and acting as a foreign agent. Menendez, a Democrat, was contrite in the courtroom, but blasted the process as “political,” and “corrupted to the core” in a not-so-subtle appeal to President Donald Trump.

Menendez was convicted July 16th on all federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction and acting as a foreign agent in schemes involving an Egyptian-American businessman and a New Jersey developer.   

In exchange for cash, a Mercedes convertible, and gold bars, Menendez used his influence as chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to procure exclusive import of halal processed meat products into Egypt.  The New Jersey Monitor reports that Menendez then signed off on billions in U.S. military aid to the government of Egypt, despite the country’s deteriorating human rights record.

But times have changed.  February 11th, the U.S. Justice Department ordered the Southern District of New York to drop bribery and corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.  He was accused of taking illegal campaign donations from foreign nationals and businessmen, and doing favors in exchange for luxury travel. The apparent quid pro quo with the Trump administration prompted six SDNY attorneys to resign in protest.

We linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

American Democracy Minute – (2024) ‘This wasn’t politics as usual, this was politics for profit.’  U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Convicted of Bribery & Conspiracy Charges.
U.S. Attorney – Southern District of NY – Former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison For Bribery, Foreign Agent, And Obstruction Offenses
NJ Monitor – Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in bribery scheme
U.S. Justice Department – New York City Mayor Eric Adams Charged With Bribery And Campaign Finance Offenses
U.S. Department of Justice  via CNN – Dismissal Without Prejudice of Prosecution of Mayor Eric Adams
NBC News – Federal prosecutors in New York and Washington resign after refusing to drop Adams charges

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW),  Public Citizen,  Brennan Center for Justice

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Corruption #QuidProQuo #EricAdams #BobMenendez

The post Just 2 Weeks Before Bribery and Corruption Charges are Dropped Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez Gets 11 Years for Similar Charges appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Feb. 12, 2025

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

February 10th, the head of the Office of Government Ethics, a Senate-confirmed position, was fired by letter by President Donald Trump, likely illegally. In an even more questionable action the same day, the U.S. Department of Justice dropped federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

As we reported last December, Mayor Adams was accused by the Biden DOJ with taking campaign donations from foreign nationals and businessmen, allegedly using “straw donors” to make them appear as legitimate donations.  He was also accused of doing favors in exchange for luxury travel and attempting to conceal those transactions.  

January 17th, Adams traveled to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and recently, Adams expressed a willingness to work with the administration on immigration, contrary to New York City’s status as a sanctuary city. 

Now, DOJ has reversed course, citing a memo from Trump’s AG, “Restoring The Integrity and Credibility of the Department of Justice”,  and Trump’s executive order, “Ending The Weaponization of the Federal Government.” 

Also on Monday, David Huitema, the director of the Office of Government Ethics, confirmed by the Senate in December for a five year term, was notified of his firing by Trump. The head of the Office of Special Counsel, Hampton Dellinger,  fired by Trump February 7th, had his removal blocked by a federal judge on Monday.

We’ve linked DOJ’s memo dropping charges against Adams at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.   I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

The Hill – Trump fires Office of Government Ethics chief
American Democracy Minute – (2024)  NYC’s Embattled Mayor Denied $4.5 Million in Matching Funds from City’s Public Campaign Finance Funding System
The Guardian – ‘Currying favor with Trump’: Eric Adams’ rightward drift sparks speculation as prosecution looms
CNN – Justice Department directs prosecutors to drop federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams
U.S. Department of Justice  via CNN – Dismissal Without Prejudice of Prosecution of Mayor Eric Adams

Associated Press – Judge orders fired head of whistleblower agency reinstated while fight continues over Trump removal

Groups Taking Action:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Brennan Center for Justice, Public Citizen 

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #DraintheSwamp #DonaldTrump #EricAdams, #NYC #MoneyinPolitics #PoliticalCorruption

The post Trump Fires Office of Government Ethics Chief Monday; Hours Later, DOJ Drops Campaign Corruption Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 20, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was denied access to over $4 million dollars in matching public funding for his 2025 campaign, due to questions over an ongoing federal investigation and accusations of financial mismanagement.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed charges against the mayor in September, charging him with taking campaign donations from foreign nationals and businessmen, allegedly using “straw donors” to make them appear as legitimate donations.  He is also accused of doing favors in exchange for luxury travel and attempting to conceal these transactions, according to the DOJ.

The New York City Campaign Finance Board ruled December 16th that Mayor Adam’s request for $4.5 million dollars in matching funds would be denied.  The chair of the board said in a statement, “After thoroughly reviewing all available information, including the details of the indictment of Mayor Adams, the Board has determined there is reason to believe the Adams campaign has engaged in conduct detrimental to the matching funds program, in violation of law, including the Campaign Finance Act and Board Rules.”

New York City’s campaign finance system provides an 8 to 1 match for small donations of $250 or less for mayor and $175 for city council.   Such small donor financing systems promote transparency, discourage big money influence, and encourage less affluent candidates to run.  

We have links to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
U.S. Department of Justice – New York City Mayor Eric Adams Charged With Bribery And Campaign Finance Offenses

New York City Campaign Finance Board – NYC Campaign Finance Board Approves Matching Funds Payments to 2025 Candidates
New York City Campaign Finance Board – How it Works
Brennan Center for Justice – New York City Campaign Finance Board Denies Mayor Eric Adams Public Matching Funds; Brennan Center Reacts
Brennan Center for Justice – Small Donor Public Financing Explained

American Democracy Minute – Seattle’s Democracy Voucher System of Financing Elections Helps Restore Power to the Voters

Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center for Justice, Public Citizen,  Common Cause, League of Women Voters US

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EndBigMoney #EndCitizensUnited #SmallDonorElections #NYC 

The post NYC’s Embattled Mayor Denied $4.5 Million in Matching Funds from City’s Public Campaign Finance Funding System appeared first on American Democracy Minute.