Mayor Eric Adams reminded city workers this week not to “accept gifts and presents” — after he was accused of doing so illegally.
According to the memorandum, municipal employees are not allowed to accept gifts or “tips” for doing their jobs, gifts or offers of more than $10 from their subordinates and free attendance at holiday parties or sponsored events from those entities. Not allowed those with whom they are doing business outside the city. , shared with The Post by an employee of the city education department.
The email, from Adams, the city’s investigations department and the conflict of interest board, is typically sent to all city employees during the holiday season with similar wording.
But to some, the message reads like an April Fool’s joke or an article from the satire site “The Onion” — in light of the mayor’s historic impeachment in September. He was accused of taking bribes in the form of luxury travel In return for doing favors to foreign governments.
“The fact that he, along with the majority of his Cabinet, is about to either be convicted of alleged criminal acts or resign and then he has the opportunity to remind teachers not to accept gifts due to ethical impropriety. The audacity, that’s just the gods of irony at work,” Forest Hills High School teacher Adam Bergstein told The Post.
Others found the email less amusing.
Another teacher in the city said, speaking on the condition of anonymity, “I’m still angry at his (Adams’s) nervousness to teach me about the ethics and legality of holiday giving and accepting gifts.”
Gift rules for city workers and teachers
According to city rules, public school teachers are limited to accepting gifts valued at $50 or less in a 12-month period. This limit applies to any valuable gift, including meals, event tickets and gift cards.
Some exceptions to the rule include:
- Gifts from colleagues or superiors in town.
- Gifts for important life events, such as a wedding or birth.
- Gifts related to official city duties.
New York City also has a $5 per student spending limit for holiday gifts. This rule was created to help low-income students contribute to class gifts. When accepting gifts in class, teachers should ensure that:
- Parents are not asked to contribute more than a small amount.
- All parents are given the opportunity to sign the card, even if they did not contribute to the gift.
- The gift is shared by the entire class.
The email particularly irked another teacher — who pointed to it as a reason why the mayor should strip her of control over the nation’s largest public school system.
“It seems ironic that, amid the mayor’s current legal troubles, an email is being sent at the beginning of the holiday season that bars students and families from expressing gratitude to teachers,” said the Queens teacher, who remained anonymous. Didn’t want to tell, said.
“This is another reason why the NYC public school system should not be under the mayor’s control.”
Adams has pleaded not guilty to a five-count indictment charging him with bribery and corruption and has denied any wrongdoing.
City Hall did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
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