New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on five federal charges, including bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals. These charges, detailed in a 57-page indictment unsealed Thursday morning, allege a pattern of illegal behavior dating back to 2014, when Adams was serving as Brooklyn Borough President.
The indictment accuses Mayor Adams of engaging in unethical conduct over the course of nearly a decade, accepting valuable benefits such as luxury international travel from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official. According to the indictment, these individuals sought to gain influence over Adams in exchange for their gifts.
Specifically, the indictment highlights instances where Adams received luxury travel and other perks from a Turkish official. In return, he allegedly pressured the New York City Fire Department to approve a Turkish consular building without conducting a mandatory fire inspection. Federal prosecutors claim that Adams was well aware of the illegal nature of these contributions but accepted them regardless.
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, stated that the mayor “engaged in a long-running conspiracy,” emphasizing that Adams knowingly accepted illegal contributions from foreign nationals. Williams remarked,
“He knew these contributions were attempts by a Turkish government official and Turkish businessmen to buy influence with him,”
Mayor Adams is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Friday at noon. Despite the serious charges against him, Adams addressed the public on Thursday, expressing confidence in his defense and urging people not to rush to judgment. “I look forward to defending myself and defending the people of this city as I’ve done throughout my entire professional career,” he said.
Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, defended his client, arguing that the travel and expenses in question occurred in 2017, long before Adams became mayor.
“There is nothing illegal or improper about that, but they don’t want you to look at that too long,”
Spiro stated while standing alongside Adams outside Gracie Mansion.
In an email to city employees, Adams maintained his innocence, urging staff to remain focused on serving New Yorkers while his legal team reviews the allegations. “I know I’ve done nothing wrong,” the email reads
The indictment represents a dramatic fall from grace for the mayor of America’s largest city. Once seen as the new face of the Democratic Party, Adams has faced increasing scrutiny during his tenure, which began in January 2022. His time in office has been marked by ongoing challenges, including the city’s migrant crisis, concerns over subway safety, and controversies surrounding his spending priorities, particularly on education. Despite presenting himself as tough on crime and committed to revitalizing the city post-pandemic, Adams has often clashed with other political figures and the federal government, particularly on immigration issues.
Several prominent New York politicians have already called for Adams’ resignation, including Democratic U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. If Adams were to step down, the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, would take over as acting mayor until a special election is held.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul commented on the situation, suggesting that Adams should take time to “review the situation and find an appropriate path forward” but stopped short of calling for his resignation. Attorney General Letitia James described the allegations as “serious and troubling,” emphasizing the responsibility of public servants to uphold the highest standards.
While the future of Adams’ political career remains uncertain, the indictment highlights broader issues of trust and accountability in public office. The charges against Adams have sent shockwaves through New York City, raising concerns among residents about the integrity of their elected officials. As Adams prepares to face these allegations in court, the city watches closely, with the outcome potentially reshaping the political landscape of New York for years to come.
