Adams’s Ex-Legal Counsel Repeatedly Advised Key Aide, Since Raided by FBI, on Migrant Contracts

Manhattan DA Cyrus R. Vance Jr. Said In a Filing That Paul Fishman, the Ex-Legal Counsel, Offered Advice on Contracts Worth Millions of Dollars

Paul Fishman, the former legal counsel to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, repeatedly advised a key aide, who has since been raided by the FBI, on migrant contracts worth millions of dollars, according to a filing by Manhattan DA Cyrus R. Vance Jr.

The filing alleges that Fishman, who left the city administration in March 2022, provided advice to Shams Tarek, a former aide to Adams, on the awarding of contracts to a nonprofit organization called Brownsville Community Clubhouse.

Tarek was raided by the FBI in January 2023 as part of a corruption investigation into the awarding of city contracts

The FBI raid on Tarek's home and office was part of a broader investigation into the awarding of city contracts, including those related to the city's response to the influx of migrants.

The investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, which has subpoenaed documents from the city and interviewed several current and former city officials.

The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been filed.

Fishman Was a Close Adviser to Adams

Fishman was a close adviser to Adams during his mayoral campaign and in the early months of his administration.

He was responsible for providing legal advice to the mayor and his staff on a wide range of issues, including the awarding of city contracts.

Fishman left the city administration in March 2022 to join the law firm Latham & Watkins.

In a statement to the New York Daily News, Fishman said that he "always acted in the best interests of the city" and that he "never provided any advice that would have violated the law."

Tarek Was Responsible for Overseeing the City's Migrant Response

Tarek was responsible for overseeing the city's response to the influx of migrants, which began in the summer of 2021.

He was responsible for negotiating contracts with nonprofit organizations to provide shelter and other services to the migrants.

Tarek was fired from his position in November 2022 after the FBI raid on his home and office.

He has not been charged with any crime, and he has denied any wrongdoing.

The Investigation Is Ongoing

The investigation into the awarding of city contracts is ongoing, and it is unclear whether any charges will be filed.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has declined to comment on the investigation.

The city has also declined to comment on the investigation, citing the ongoing nature of the probe.