Can Adam McFadden Bounce Back?
Disgraced former Councilman Adam McFadden is back in Rochester and talking about his brief time in federal prison.
The former politician's criminal activity came to light after his arrest in 2019. McFadden, vice president of the Rochester City Council at the time, was arrested and charged with federal crimes associated with a scheme to defraud the Rochester Housing Authority.
After discovering evidence of financial impropriety related to Quad A for Kids—an organization McFadden served as executive director from 2006 and 2014 and then again from September 2016 until 2019, McFadden was put on administrative leave and then terminated. His termination was unrelated, and not a result of the federal investigation and charges at the time. A full-scale forensic audit was launched after McFadden was terminated and the organization says "was limited to his years working for Quad A." Quad A representatives say they also promptly notified the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) that state grant funds may have been affected and what steps it was taking to confirm the amounts misappropriated.
According to the OAG McFadden admitted that he created fake invoices for the organization, stealing more than $130,000 and faced a sentence of 27 to 33 months. However, he received a reduced sentence by testifying against George Moses, who defrauded several nonprofits, including the neighborhood group he headed, the North East Area Development association.
McFadden was later convicted of wire fraud and filing a false tax return. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison but served less than 5 months.
The host of the new podcast ‘The Bounce Back With Adam McFadden’ on WDKX confirmed that he was released early due to the Cares Act.
The Cares Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (2020) and the Coronavirus Response and Consolidated Appropriations Act (2021) provided fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, small businesses, and industries.
Under the Cares Act, the Bureau of Prisons reported that they began immediately reviewing all inmates who have COVID-19 risk factors, as described by the CDC, to determine which inmates are suitable for home confinement.
The AOG had made recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) on March 26, 2020 to prioritize home confinement as an appropriate response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the BOP significantly increased its placement of offenders on home confinement. Currently, the BOP has 5,701 inmates on home confinement. The total number of inmates placed in home confinement from March 26, 2020 to the present (including inmates who have completed service of their sentence) is 57,061.
"A year ago, I was sentenced to 18 months to federal prison camp. I left to go to Lewisburg on April 6. I reported to turn myself into Federal prison camp. A month later I was granted the Cares Act for my medical condition, my age and some other things and was released early August 30," McFadden admitted on the podcast which aired in March. “So, I've been back in Rochester since August 30th. I had to serve home confinement and just last week I was released from home confinement."
The newly released convict claimed he got himself into this situation because "when your ego is unchecked you operate like you are above the law and you don't have a moral compass of right and wrong on some certain things. That's how that happens."
McFadden was ordered to pay restitution totaling $265,528.00 to Quad A For Kids, the Internal Revenue Service and Rochester Housing Charities.
To listen to the entire episode of The Bounce Back With Adam McFadden, download the WDKX app or visit www.WDKX.com.
He is an egoistical bully! When l came back from Albany l applied for a position at Quad A l had more than enough experience having been honored by the NYS Department of Labor for an after school program l administered with the Urban League, now l know why l didn't get the position he kept it for himself so he could steal the money, while he was a commissioner at the Rochester Housing Authority l applied for a coordinator of the Sec. lll program which l ran in Albany, with the Albany Housing Authority and again was honored when l wrote a grant through HUD for an after school program within one of the developments again it was approved!…
We Got You Back, Come on Back, PAB needs some HELP
I am no fan of the crimes that Adam McFadden admitted to, but having sat through his testimony at George Moses Trial he was on a mission to tell the truth. He admitted he was paying off his bookie, Moses defense attorney did everything to bring him to heal. Adam did not relent, he kept going. He knows there's a lot of fraud and he's been a fraudster himself, but they guy I saw in court was believable and sincere. Yes, if there is someone to use his humor and his intellect for something positive in stead of chasing his demons, I welcome him.-Signed Christopher Hennelly
This is a weird article from the minority reporter that seems to just list his transgressions for the purpose of what I'm unsure and gives no information on how he's bouncing back. The comments make me wonder if there actually being left by minorities. I'm not sure how he's being welcomed with open arms, I don't see anyone doing anything to ensure his success, looks like he's working to earn his keep, like he likely did the first time. Why should we continue to punish and disparage him? Where is Maggie Brooks husband? Likely in some cushy job doing nothing taking your tax dollars, maybe worry about that instead
No.
Adam has burned the community beyond the point being able to just bounce back. In the podcast that WDKX put together as a fawning "welcome home" gift, Adam talks about how he doesn't walk around seeking anyone's forgiveness, and that he has forgiven himself. So be it, Adam, just keep that same energy when in public spaces, and when the community considers how best to fill positions where public accountability and responsibility are implicated.
Edited to add: I am a Black, native Rochesterian, for the record.