Adams’ adviser Randy Mastro’s work for Madison Square Garden violates ethics laws due to lack of transparency.

First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro’s simultaneous legal engagement with the Madison Square Garden corporate empire has been found to technically breach local ethics laws, according to a recent report from the city’s Department of Investigation (DOI). The DOI’s findings emphasize that, while Mastro’s actions were in violation of regulations, he was not personally at fault. Instead, the report pointed criticism towards the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board (COIB) for its prior authorization permitting Mastro to maintain his role as an attorney for Madison Square Garden while serving in the high-profile position of Deputy Mayor.

The DOI’s report, published on Thursday, highlights the necessity for reforms to enhance transparency within the ethics oversight framework. It recommends an array of changes that include stronger transparency measures and potential amendments to existing ethics laws to prevent similar situations from arising in the future. The review was initiated as a direct response to an investigative report by the Daily News in March 2025, which revealed Mastro’s decision to continue his legal work for Madison Square Garden in an unpaid capacity while holding office in City Hall.

Mastro, who has served as Mayor Eric Adams’ second-in-command since early 2025, was allowed by the COIB to retain his MSG position without obtaining a formal waiver, resulting in confusion about the process and its implications. The secrecy surrounding the COIB’s advisory stance prompted outrage from government watchdog organizations, especially as both the COIB and the Mayor’s office declined to share the specific advice given to Mastro regarding his dual roles.

The DOI’s report asserts that if Mastro’s dual responsibilities were to be permitted, a public waiver should have been issued to ensure compliance with ethics laws. This waiver would have clarified that Mastro’s legal representation of a prominent business entity did not conflict with the interests of the city, thus allowing for necessary public oversight.

In response to the DOI’s findings, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams asserted that the report underscores Mastro’s adherence to proper ethical protocols. The spokesperson emphasized that Mastro followed the guidance provided by the COIB in earnest.

The DOI has called for immediate review and reform, suggesting that the COIB disclose its advisories concerning potential conflicts and ensure that similar oversight is applied to any other city-employed attorneys who may represent private entities engaged in business with the city. Moreover, the DOI has urged the COIB to begin publicizing any moonlighting waivers it grants, a move aimed at increasing public trust in the ethics oversight process.

As the administration of Mayor Adams approaches its conclusion in January 2026, the implications of these findings could resonate beyond Mastro’s tenure, impacting the ethical landscape for city employees in the future.