New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is quietly proceeding with plans to relocate the Department for the Aging (DFTA) from a publicly owned building 14 Wall Street, a property privately owned by billionaire Alexander Rovt who recently donated $15,000 to Adams’ legal defense fund.
While the relocation plan was temporarily paused in early 2025, Adams’ administration claims to be moving forward based on findings from an internal interview. However, officials have refused to make those findings public. The report has been sitting with the Mayor’s Office since February, with no timeline for release.
A longtime Adams ally
At the heart of the matter is Jesse Hamilton, a longtime friend and political ally of Adams. Hamilton is a deputy commissioner at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the city agency responsible for handling office space and leases for government agencies.
Hamilton’s involvement raised red flags after it became public knowledge that he had influenced where the DFTA would move. Initially, DCAS staff had evaluated four possible office buildings in Lower Manhattan, including 205 Broadway and 14 Wall Street.
After reviewing the options, DCAS recommended 250 Broadway as the best choice for the agency. The building met the city’s needs and negotiations were underway to lease 80,000 square feet of office space. This deal represented a significant financial opportunity for whichever landlord secured the lease.
But once Hamilton intervened, the selection process quickly changed course. Despite earlier recommendations, DCAS chose 14 Wall Street instead — Rovt’s building.
Hamilton’s involvement is now part of a broader investigation by NYC’s Department of Investigation (DOI) to clarify the DFTA relocation and other real estate deals Hamilton has overseen since joining DCAS.
Hamilton’s political ties to Adams stretch back more than a decade. When Adams left the state senate to become Brooklyn Borough President, he endorsed Hamilton to fill his former seat. Their tight professional relationship and Hamilton’s current role in overseeing city leases have heightened concerns about favoritism and conflicts of interest.
Political donations add fuel to the fire
Further complicating the situation is the financial link between the property’s owner and Adams’ legal and political efforts. Rovt’s contribution to Adams’ legal defense fund came just months before the deal to relocate the DFTA was steered toward his building.
In addition, two executives from Global Commercial Real Estate (GCRE), the firm brokering the deal, also contributed $2,100 each to Adams’ 2025 re-election campaign. These donations, while legal, add to the perception of political favor exchange.
City Hall has defended its decision to proceed with the lease, pointing again to the unreleased internal review. However, transparency advocates and some city officials are raising questions about the lack of public disclosure and ongoing DOI investigation.
For now, the move to 14 Wall Street is back on track, though it remains under public and legal scrutiny. Critics argue that the city’s lack of transparency only fuels suspicion, while supporters of Adams insit that the lease process was reviewed carefully and cleared.
The DOI’s investigation remains open and the outcome could determine whether the deal stands — or faces further consequences down the line.
