Mayor Eric Adams this week warned city employees “not to accept gifts or favors,” raising eyebrows after he was accused of doing just that illegally.
According to the memo, city employees cannot accept gifts or “tips” for work, gifts of more than $10 from subordinates, or offers or freebies to holiday parties or sponsored events from organizations that do business outside the city. A city Department of Education official who was not authorized to receive the participation shared it with The Post.
The email, from Adams, the City Bureau of Investigation and the Conflicts of Interest Commission, is typically sent to all city employees around the holiday season each year with similar language.
But for some, the letter read like an April Fool's joke or an article on the satirical site The Onion, which accused foreigners of accepting bribes in the form of luxury trips in return for favors. Given the historic indictment of the mayor in September–Gov.
“He, along with the majority of his Cabinet, has warned teachers not to accept gifts on the grounds that they are ethically inappropriate, even though he has been indicted on criminal charges or plans to resign.'' The fact that they have the audacity to encourage that is just a problem. The gods of cynicism are at work,” Forest Hills High School teacher Adam Bergstein told the Post.
Others found this email less interesting.
“I'm still angry at his (Adams') nerve to try to teach me the ethics and legality of accepting holiday gifts and favors,” said another city educator, who requested anonymity.
Rules regarding gifts to city employees and educators
According to city rules, public school teachers are limited to receiving gifts of $50 or less in a 12-month period. This limit applies to gifts of value such as meals, event tickets, and gift cards.
Exceptions to this rule include:
- A gift from a colleague or boss in the city.
- Gifts for important life events such as marriage and childbirth.
- Return gifts related to city official business.
New York City also has a Christmas gift spending limit of $5 per student. This rule was created to allow low-income students to donate gifts to the class. When accepting gifts for the class, teachers should ensure that:
- Parents are never asked to donate more than a small amount.
- All parents will be given the opportunity to sign the card, even if they did not contribute to the gift.
- This gift will be shared as it comes from the entire class.
The email struck a nerve with yet another teacher, who pointed out why the mayor should be stripped of control over the nation's largest public school system.
The Queens teacher, who requested anonymity, said, “While the mayor is currently dealing with legal issues, an email banning students and families from thanking teachers at the beginning of the holiday season… It seems ironic that it is being sent.”
“This is another reason why New York City's public school system should not be under the mayor's control.”
Mr. Adams has pleaded not guilty to five counts of bribery and corruption and has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
City Hall did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
