NEW YORK (AP) — The Rev. Al Sharpton offered an impassioned defense Saturday of his former aide whose prominent role at City Hall has come under intense scrutiny, claiming that the criticism has been fueled by a movement to curb his own influence with Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The civil rights leader and fierce NYPD critic said he warned his then-spokeswoman Rachel Noerdlinger in January when she accepted a position to be chief of staff to powerful first lady Chirlane McCrary.

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