Friend of NYC mayor gets special car ride, sparks ethical firestorm


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A close associate of Mayor Eric Adams sparked controversy by hitching a ride with his security detail to President Trump’s inauguration, drawing criticism from government watchdogs who view it as another example of ethical misconduct by City Hall.

Model and charity founder Alisa Roever documented her privileged journey through security-restricted Washington, DC, sharing social media videos of her ride with the mayor’s motorcade.

“Driving with security to the inauguration,” Roever posted in a video seen by The Post.

“When the roads are closed but not for us,” she added, accompanying the text with a flexing bicep emoji.

The social media personality posted additional footage showing the security detail weaving through the capital with sirens wailing and lights flashing, disregarding traffic signals.

“All the roads are closed! Mission impossible,” she wrote.

Roever, who established the non-profit Angel’s Helpers alongside Bernard Adams, the mayor’s brother, acknowledged receiving an early morning pickup from the detail while in DC for the Capitol ceremony. When questioned about the mayor’s detour to collect her, she stated she had “No idea.”

While the mayor traveled in a lead Suburban, Roever appeared to be transported in a separate vehicle within the convoy.

Government ethics experts criticized the use of police protection as a personal transportation service, particularly since Roever had no official capacity warranting such accommodation.

“The mayor should be super careful and aware of any misuse of his security detail,” said John Kaehny, the director of Reinvent Albany, a non-profit good government group.

“The security detail is not supposed to be chauffeurs for the mayor’s friends,” said Kaehny — who stopped short of saying it violated city rules.

“It’s an error of judgment and bad look,” he added, pointing to an ethics scandal that dogged former Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The incident follows recent Department of Investigation scrutiny of police detail policies for city officials, which found inadequate guidelines contributed to protection-related missteps under Adams’ predecessor.

While the city’s Conflict of Interest Board oversees security detail usage, its regulations lack clear definitions and remain open to interpretation.

De Blasio faced nearly $500,000 in fines for misusing his security detail during his unsuccessful presidential campaign, which saw him traveling nationwide while polling in single digits.

Former COIB chair Richard Briffault suggested the courtesy ride could be problematic if it involved any quid pro quo arrangements.

“It does seem like it is a misuse of city resources for a non-city employee,” said Briffault.

One Democratic insider harshly characterized the situation as “blatant grift,” criticizing Adams for utilizing “taxpayer-funded resources for his friends and political allies, while skipping town to cozy up to President Trump in a desperate bid for a pardon.”

The mayor’s office, through press secretary Kayla Malemak, defended the action, stating that Adams was permitted to include guests in his detail and that no rules were violated. She noted that Roever was already planning to attend the event when Adams offered the ride.

This isn’t Roever’s first brush with ethical concerns. Her organization, Angels Helpers, previously drew scrutiny for attempting to auction a dinner with Adams at a Hamptons fundraiser, though the prize was withdrawn following media inquiries.

While City Hall had initially indicated Adams would attend Trump’s inauguration accompanied only by his security detail, The Post observed NYPD Chief John Chell and Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry in civilian clothes at the overflow room where Adams was seated alongside celebrities like Conor McGregor and the Paul brothers.

City officials justified the police leaders’ presence, explaining they were in DC providing requested assistance to local law enforcement.