New year, same federal raids

And somebody broke into Gracie Mansion #107

my early morning view on Jan. 1, 2025.

In the early hours of the new year police say a 20-year-old Upper East Side man managed to climb over a fence by Gracie Mansion, get inside, get upstairs, and steal a few things including a Christmas ornament before giving chase and getting arrested. He filmed himself throughout his visit but why he did it is still unclear.

How he got inside is shocking, considering all the police officers and security measures posted up at the mansion.

Less surprising was learning that Mayor Eric Adams, our outside mayor, was not home when the break-in happened, at 4:24 a.m — if he does indeed even really live at Gracie. He told me today that he wasn’t very concerned about the break-in; “I can fight well.”

So that’s how a challenging year for the mayor sort of started. He faces re-election and a federal corruption trial all in the first half of 2025.

The Gracie break-in was maybe overshadowed by a Jan. 2 visit federal authorities made to the home of former NYPD Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey, where they were seen carting out boxes and boxes of things from inside. It’s been reported that the federal investigation and raid is centered on whether federal money was used to coverup overtime payment at the NYPD.

Maddrey resigned just before Christmas ahead of allegations made by a subordination, Lt. Quathisa Epps, who alleges he coerced sexual favors from her in exchange for overtime payments. The former chief of department admitted they had a “fling” but it wasn’t because of overtime.

He was later suspended without pay.

Although Adams has tried to distance himself from Maddrey, for years he promoted and protected him when he faced other investigations. The continued federal law enforcement action comes as the mayor seems even increasingly reluctant to answer any questions, while leaning fully into a narcissistic belief that he made the careers of the reporters covering him. Next week is his annual State of the City address at the historic Apollo, which his team is promoting like the Super Bowl halftime show.

Will The Executioner come on stage if the mayor isn’t any good?

🗞 Other interesting stories 🗞
Unlicensed dollar van operators are swarming the city’s streets [THE CITY]
US Postal Service worker stabbed to death over deli order [NBC NEW YORK]
We’ve answered more reader Qs on congestion pricing, set to begin Sunday [THE CITY]
10 people were shot this week in Jamaica [amNY]
Cruises truly terrify me, and this didn’t help [NY MAG]

📺WATCH📺
Here are some YouTube videos I’ve watched over the last few weeks:

Happy 2025 and thanks for reading!