COPYCATS: For all the troubles facing the mayor — his criminal case, his poll numbers, his anemic campaign and now a challenge from Cuomo — Adams appeared upbeat during a press briefing today where he defended his public safety record, accused rival candidates of pilfering his ideas and threw some oblique barbs at the former governor. “Look at what I ran on and what I completed, and look at what they now are shifting to run on,” Adams said, referring to a field of candidates who are tacking to the center on public safety. “I'm saying to all of them: Get an O.I., an original idea.” Adams also offered aforementioned measured criticism of Cuomo, indicating he believes the 11 women whose claims of sexual harassment at the hands of the former governor were substantiated by the attorney general. (Cuomo vehemently denies it all.) The mayor said Cuomo must answer for his actions — and his record on nursing homes — on the campaign trail. Adams, who has also been accused of sexual misconduct, has his own problems, and many of them. He is still facing a five-count federal bribery case and has been taking flack over his cozy relationship with President Trump, whom the mayor courted for months. Those overtures appeared to pay off: Trump’s Justice Department moved to dismiss the charges with the expectation Adams would cooperate with federal deportation efforts. Adams’ candidate-like demeanor at the briefing has not translated into action. He has yet to hire any meaningful campaign staff and has skipped every mayoral forum, even a crucial appearance before a key labor ally. In explaining his "Rose Garden strategy", Adams said his 2021 campaign had to spend the bulk of its resources boosting name recognition. “I don’t think that’s the problem right now … those of you who are sports fans, this is the season,” he said, hinting he would ramp up his efforts as the race matures. “The playoffs are different.” — Joe Anuta REFUNDS: City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander wants Cuomo to pay back $28 million in lawsuit fees incurred due to sexual harassment claims and deaths caused by Covid in nursing homes. “He should return every penny of that $28 million and commit to spend the rest of any money that he's going to use on legal defense from his own funds and not from ours,” Lander said at a press conference on Monday. Attorney General Letitia James’ report found that Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women. He is suing Charlotte Bennett — a former executive assistant — after she withdrew her sexual harassment lawsuit from federal court due to “invasive” discovery requests into decade-old medical records. Her report led to many top Democrats — including former President Joe Biden — to call for his resignation. He ultimately stepped down in 2021. Erica Vladimer, the co-founder of the Sexual Harassment Working Group, joined Lander in calling out Cuomo for allegedly harassing survivors through lawsuits. “They have to use their own money while the ex-governor can use taxpayer dollars. No other type of defendant would have access to these unlimited funds,” Vladimer said. “If the ex-governor really wants to represent the people of New York City, he'd give that money back.” “Andrew Cuomo is all about himself,” Vladimer said. Lander said that $28 million could help fund after-school programs, pre-K and 3K enrollments, and youth summer jobs. Cuomo has denied all accusations that led him to resign. A “good chunk” of the $28 million “was for Covid-related investigations,” Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said. “The allegations that they are talking about have been examined by five district attorneys, and not a single case was brought forward. Civil suits have been dropped or falling apart,” Azzopardi said. He added that when someone is in office and they get sued, it is standard that the state pays for the legal fees. Opponents will likely continue attacking Cuomo for the allegations and his track records on Covid. “The more that we talk about who he really is as a corrupt power abuser, the less popular he's going to get,” Vladimer said. “Voters are going to remember who he truly is.” — Cris Seda Chabrier
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