Frank Carone, a seasoned political powerbroker, has been a pivotal figure in Mayor Eric Adams' life since 2013. Their bond, forged through political alliances and personal friendships, has seen Carone transition from clearing Adams' path to becoming the Brooklyn Borough President, to serving as his Chief of Staff, and finally, to chairing his reelection campaign and launching a lobbying firm. Carone's wife, Diana, and Adams' partner, Tracey Collins, have also cultivated a close friendship over the past decade.  

In 2023, Diana Carone gifted Collins, a senior Education Department official, with leisure activities valued between $5,000 and $55,000. While no laws were violated, ethics watchdogs have raised concerns about the timing of these gifts, given that Carone's firm was already representing private entities with city government business interests.  

Although spouses of lobbyists are prohibited from treating city officials with gifts, Carone and his firm's employees only registered as lobbyists in 2024. Consequently, Diana Carone became barred from giving gifts to Collins at that time.  

The gifts, which Collins received after Carone left City Hall, coincided with Oaktree Solutions picking up multiple clients with city business interests. City ethics law prohibits the spouse of a lobbyist from giving 'any gift which has any value whatsoever' to 'any public servant.' However, Carone's registration as a lobbyist occurred only in 2024.  

Rachel Fauss, a senior policy adviser at the Reinvent Albany watchdog group, emphasized the need to tighten the law to include consultants who advise and represent private firms with city business dealings.

Unveiling the Intricate Web: Carone, Adams, and Their Partners' Intertwined Relationships

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