September 26, 2024
The indictment unsealed today alleges that Mayor Adams abused his power and position for nearly a decade, obtaining personal benefits and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals, and others, giving them undue influence over him. As charged, this illegal conduct compromised his integrity as an elected official and New Yorkers expect better.
New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber on the federal indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the first sitting NYC mayor to be indicted on federal charges.
Why It Matters: The 57-page indictment unsealed Thursday alleges that the mayor of America’s largest city abused his positions of power for over a decade in order to “obtain illegal campaign contributions and luxury travel” from foreign nationals, including at least one Turkish government official. Among the allegations, Adams is accused of pressuring the New York City Fire Department to make sure a Turkish consulate building was open ahead of the Turkish president’s visit even though the building had not passed a fire inspection. To conceal this criminal conduct, prosecutors say Adams accepted donations from “straw donors” in order to hide the true source of the donations.
In a press conference Thursday morning, Adams denied any wrongdoing and said, “I look forward to defending myself and defending the people of this city as I’ve done throughout my entire professional career.”
Although many politicians have asked for Mayor Adams to resign, he has no plans to do so. However, New York Governor Kathy Hochul could remove him from office, in which case NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would become acting mayor until a special election is held.
The Charges: According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York, Adams was charged with one count of conspiracy to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals and commit wire fraud and bribery, one count of wire fraud, two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, and one count of soliciting and accepting a bribe. He faces up to 45 years in prison.
Read More: NYC Mayor Eric Adams indicted on 5 federal public corruption charges, including bribery and wire fraud (CNN)
Image Credit: New York City Office of the Mayor
by Stephanie Wagner, based in Florida
