Eric Adams, New York City Mayor, Indicted In Campaign Corruption Case
Eric Adams, New York City’s mayor, has now officially been indicted.
According to The New York Times, the charges against Eric Adams were unsealed, with federal prosecutors accusing him of five federal public corruption charges. These charges include bribery, fraud, soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, and more, per the 57-page legal document.
Mayor Adams is now the first sitting mayor in New York City history to be indicted while still holding office. If Adams were to resign from his seat, NYC’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, would replace the mayor.
Eric Adams responded to the indictment in a public statement, saying, “I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target—and a target I became. If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
“I have been facing these lies for months… yet the city has continued to improve,” Adams said. “Make no mistake. You elected me to lead this city, and lead it, I will.“
However, Eric Adams could potentially be removed from office if New York Gov. Kathy Hochul feels that such a move is warranted. According to NBC New York, a spokesperson for the governor said that Hochul is “aware of concerning news reports.” But the spokesperson feels, right now, that “it would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement.”
While it may look like this investigation arrived suddenly, Mayor Adams and his circle have been under the federal microscope since about 2023. Federal investigations have seized multiple cell phones and other electronics from Adams and his circle as they examine potential ties to foreign corruption probes.
Mayor Eric Adams, who was previously a police officer before becoming a politician, had been dealing with a bit of turnover from members of his circle over the past couple months. Edward Caban, who was installed as police commissioner for NYC by Adams, resigned after federal authorities seized his cell phones.
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