New York City Mayor Eric Adams is set to be arraigned in federal court on Friday, facing five criminal charges, including bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign contributions.
An indictment revealed on Thursday claims that Adams sought and accepted unlawful campaign funds along with over $100,000 (£75,000) in luxury travel perks from Turkish businessmen and an official attempting to gain influence with him.
At 64, Adams is a former police officer who was elected nearly three years ago with a pledge to tackle crime head-on. He has denied any wrongdoing and dismissed calls for his resignation.
The arraignment, where he will formally learn the charges and enter a plea, is scheduled for noon local time before Magistrate Judge Katherine Parker.
“I urge New Yorkers to wait for our defense before jumping to conclusions,” Adams stated at a Thursday press conference. “I adhere to the rules and federal law, and I do not engage in any illegal campaign activities.”
His press conference was frequently interrupted by residents who labeled him a “disgrace” and demanded “justice.”
If found guilty, Adams could face up to 45 years in prison.
Allegations against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the authority to remove the mayor, said on Thursday she is reviewing the charges. “I will take the time necessary to examine this indictment, but my top priority is ensuring that the people of New York City and the state are served,” Governor Hochul commented.
Adams can also be removed by an “inability committee,” likely to include city officials who oppose him.
The 57-page indictment outlines a decade-long alleged corruption and bribery scheme, starting when Adams served as Brooklyn borough president and continuing after he became mayor. The allegations include extravagant international travel.
In one cited text exchange from the indictment, an Adams staffer and an airline manager discuss accommodations for a trip to Turkey. When the airline manager suggests the Four Seasons, the staffer replies that it’s “too expensive.” The manager responds, “Why does he care? He is not going to pay.” The staffer then agrees, stating, “Super.”
Prosecutors allege that the same staffer asked the airline manager to charge Adams an inflated price for his travel to disguise the preferential treatment. The staffer suggested charging Adams $1,000 for a flight to Turkey, indicating that it should “seem somewhat real.”
During the press conference, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, accused Adams of rekindling corrupt relationships with foreign nationals to solicit illegal funds for his 2021 campaign. “In 2023, the mayor sought further illegal contributions from some of the same foreign sources for his re-election campaign,” Williams stated.
The indictment notes that Adams allegedly used “straw donors” to circumvent campaign finance limits by accepting illegal donations from foreign entities. His campaign is also accused of applying for and receiving city funds meant to match small contributions from residents, totaling over $10 million.
Additionally, Adams is accused of trying to conceal the benefits he received, failing to disclose gifts on annual forms, and telling a co-conspirator that he “always” deleted messages related to illegal trips and gifts.
Several prominent New York Democrats, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have called for Adams to resign. Others, like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have not gone that far, emphasizing that Adams is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre denied any coordination between the Department of Justice and the White House, stating, “The DOJ is handling this case independently.”
Since taking office on January 1, 2022, Adams and his administration have faced increasing federal scrutiny. The FBI raided the home of his chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, and others in his campaign last year amid investigations into potential illegal contributions from Turkish and other foreign sources.
Recent weeks have seen turmoil in the Adams administration, with the resignation of several top aides, including the police commissioner, health commissioner, and chief counsel. New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks also announced his resignation following the seizure of his phones during a search of his home on September 4.
As this turmoil unfolds, Adams has recorded some of the lowest approval ratings of any NYC mayor and faces a crowded field of Democratic primary challengers, potentially including former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
If Adams resigns or is removed before the end of his term next year, Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate, would assume the role.
