Former Adams campaign vendor accused of assault in SoHo made donations at a high-profile fundraiser.

Trent Pool, a conservative political consultant, has recently come under scrutiny following his arrest on charges of assaulting his girlfriend in a Manhattan hotel. This incident has raised questions about Pool’s hiring by New York Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection campaign, particularly in light of his previous contributions to the campaign.

In December 2024, Pool donated ,100, the maximum allowed, to Mayor Adams’ reelection effort during a fundraiser in Puerto Rico. Records indicate that this event, hosted by cryptocurrency billionaire Brock Pierce at his San Juan mansion, raised a total of ,404 from nine contributors. However, Adams’ campaign may have violated campaign finance laws by failing to disclose Pierce’s role in organizing the fundraiser, thus drawing further scrutiny.

Pool, previously known for managing petitioning efforts for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s unsuccessful presidential campaign, was hired by the Adams campaign for petitioning work to secure an independent line on the ballot for the upcoming November election. His contract, valued at approximately 5,000, was awarded while he was facing criminal charges related to the alleged assault, which reportedly includes accusations of strangling his partner at the SoHo Grand Hotel.

Upon inquiries regarding Pool’s involvement and the timing of his hiring, the Adams campaign stated that the mayor was unaware of the charges against Pool and emphasized that the campaign operates with a level of independence when hiring contractors. Following the unfolding events, the Adams campaign announced its intention to sever ties with Pool, indicating a commitment to ethical management in light of the escalating situation.

This scenario is further complicated by the legal implications surrounding the fundraiser hosted by Pierce, as Adams’ team may have been required by campaign finance laws to report Pierce as an intermediary or compensate him for hosting the event. Despite the raised funds exceeding the threshold, records do not indicate that this requirement was met.

As these developments unfold, Pool’s case is set to go to trial next month, and he maintains his innocence regarding the assault charges. Meanwhile, Mayor Adams is ramping up his independent campaign for reelection amidst mounting political pressures, including the aftermath of his indictment on federal corruption charges, which were dismissed in what some perceive as a politically charged arrangement involving the Department of Justice.

In the context of these revelations, the upcoming election season presents new challenges for Mayor Adams as he navigates both public perception and campaign integrity amidst these controversies surrounding key campaign staff.