NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Mayor Eric Adams doubled down on his decision to choose his brother, Bernard Adams, to serve as deputy NYPD commissioner on Sunday, despite ethics concerns over the pick.
Adams, who appeared on CNN's "State of the Union," said his 56-year-old younger brother is "qualified for the position."
Adams, the city's second Black mayor, said the role will also be in charge of his security amid racial threats.
"Number one, he will be in charge of my security, which is extremely important to me at a time when we see an increase in white supremacy and hate crimes," he added.
Bernard Adams is a retired NYPD sergeant whose LinkedIn says he is an admin with Virginia Commonwealth University's Parking and Transportation.
If allowed to move forward with the pick, Adams would fill the civilian position that oversees "governmental affairs," which typically comes with a yearly salary of $242,000, according to The New York Post.
Though sources told The New York Daily News that the role is expected to only be temporary, it has continued to raise conflict of interest questions.
However, some argue conflict of interest laws might not be directly applied to the case because deputy commissioners are chosen by the NYPD commissioner, rather than Adams.
Adams said told reporters at a news conference Sunday that the nomination is the process of getting an approval by The Conflict of Interest Board, a city ethics panel.
"I trust my brother. My brother understands me," Adams said "And if I have to put my life in someone’s hands, I want to put it in the hands of a person that I trust deeply, because that is a very personal process of your security."
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