Critics see double standard in City Hall firing

Originally published at: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2022/10/21/critics-see-double-standard-in-city-hall-firing-00062890

By ERIN DURKIN and ANNA GRONEWOLD

New York City Mayor Eric Adams often dubs himself “perfectly imperfect” and offers scandal-scarred aides second chances. But his forgiving spirit stopped short of allowing a junior staffer to stay on the job after getting caught on camera trashing the mayor and the city’s police department.

Adams announced Wednesday night his firing of Christopher Baugh, a member of his advance team who was unknowingly filmed by right-wing activist group Project Veritas calling his boss “corrupt” and questioning his competence. But it was not those insults that cost Baugh his job, Adams said. Rather it was when he said police officers have “the cushiest gig in the city” before adding, “like, you might get shot but otherwise it’s very good.” The comments were made during what appeared to be several dates Baugh had with an employee from Project Veritas, a group that specializes in hidden-camera sting operations.

“Being a mayor means you’re crapped on. But when you have disparaging remarks about first responders, that’s unacceptable. It is not tolerated,” Adams said during an unrelated press conference Thursday. “Got to be thick-skinned in this business. But my first responders don’t have to be thick-skinned and I'm going to stand up for them.”

Some questioned the mayor’s decision, our Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta report, given his understanding nature with several employees who espoused anti-gay views before he appointed them. “The people who went after the LGBTQ community, did not apologize or admit their bigotry until their proposed job was on the line. So they never should’ve been hired. There is a double standard here,” well-known gay rights activist Allen Roskoff told POLITICO.

Not everyone shared that view. Pat Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association, called Baugh a “moron [who] has no business serving this city.” Baugh could not be reached for comment.