New York’s largest transit union, the Transport Workers Union (TWU), is preparing to sue Mayor Eric Adams’ top aide Randy Mastro and several politically connected individuals over their efforts to ban the city’s horse carriage industry. The TWU, which represents horse carriage drivers, alleges a “deceptive enterprise” involving Mastro, animal rights groups like NYCLASS, and donors such as Josh Fox and Eric Lerner, who support replacing horse-drawn carriages with electric alternatives. The union’s legal threat follows revelations that Fox, an Adams campaign donor, met privately with Adams and Mastro shortly before the mayor reversed his previous opposition and endorsed a City Council bill to abolish the industry.

The TWU accuses these parties of possible misrepresentation, improper fundraising, and lobbying violations, suspecting a coordinated effort to monetize the carriage ban through real estate development and electric vehicle procurement. The union’s president claims the ban would devastate drivers’ livelihoods, while animal rights advocates argue the ban is necessary for horse welfare and public safety. Mayor Adams and his allies dismiss the union’s claims as a desperate PR stunt, emphasizing broad public support for ending horse carriages. The dispute intensifies amid Adams’ recent decision not to seek reelection following a corruption indictment.