City Hall history a guide for any move to remove Mayor Eric Adams

The federal indictment of Mayor Eric Adams on corruption charges is the fourth major scandal in a century to touch City Hall. One case in particular, that involving scandal-scarred Mayor Jimmy Walker in 1932, may provide a road map for what happens next to Adams' hold on his job.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has the power under the City Charter to begin proceedings to remove Adams from office but has so far shown no signs that she intends to begin efforts to do so. The only precedent for such a move sparked Walker's resignation in the waning days of the Great Depression.

Walker, known as "Beau James" because of his bon vivant lifestyle, was caught up in a number of investigations led by New York Judge Samuel Seabury. Beginning In 1931, Seabury found corruption in the NYPD vice squad, as well as mismanagement in some City Hall agencies.

But the biggest scandal uncovered by Seabury revealed that Walker benefited financially from friends and other businessmen who had dealings with city agencies. In 1932, Seabury uncovered evidence that Walker had a previously unknown brokerage account that accumulated more than $1 million and took improper gratuities.

Then-Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt, in the summer of 1932, invoked provisions of the City Charter to hold his own hearing about Walker’s financial dealings. The mayor denied taking bribes but the evidence didn’t look good. His political allies in Tammany Hall told him "Jim, you are through." Walker resigned on Sept. 1, 1932, before Roosevelt could remove him. He traveled through Europe with his girlfriend Betty Compton, a showgirl, and died in 1946 at the age of 65.

Walker was never criminally charged in connection with the scandal. 

If Hochul seeks to remove Adams, she must follow a similar path as Roosevelt, hitting the mayor with charges and giving him an opportunity to defend himself. Pending a hearing, the governor could also suspend Adams for up to 30 days. Legal experts said any action by Hochul could complicate the criminal case against Adams because a gubernatorial hearing could delve into areas covered by the federal trial evidence.

A so-called "inability committee" provision in the charter allows a group of city council members and other officials to remove Adams if he is temporarily or permanently unable to do his job. But the process is more complicated than that afforded Hochul.

City Hall scandal also touched Mayor William O’Dwyer, former Brooklyn district attorney. O’Dwyer was elected mayor in 1945 and reelected in 1949. But a police corruption investigation tainted O’Dwyer's second term and ensnared his top aide James Moran. O’Dwyer, who was dogged by his association with gangsters likes Frank Costello, never faced charges but resigned in 1950. He was later appointed ambassador to Mexico. O’Dwyer died in 1964 at age 74.

Mayor Edward I. Koch won reelection three times from 1977 to 1986. But his third term was quickly ruined by the city Parking Violations Bureau scandal that ensnared Queens Borough President Donald Manes, who would die by suicide amid the investigation, Bronx Democratic Party leader Stanley Friedman and others. Koch himself was not implicated but the scandal effectively ended his political future. After his third term, Koch practiced law and became a political commentator. He died in 2013.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.