NYC Mayor Eric Adams Indicted On Federal Criminal Charges
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal charges expected to be unsealed tomorrow. That, according MSNBC, CNN, the New York Times and other media outlets.
The development makes Adams the first sitting mayor in New York City’s history to be charged while in office.
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That Adams is under investigation has been known for some time. The Times has reported that the mayor faces three to four federal probes, one of which is tied to the government of Turkey. Investigators also sought information related to Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea and Uzbekistan.
Regarding Turkey, prosecutors were investigating whether Adams accepted illegal foreign donations in exchange for pressuring the Fire Department to approve a new high-rise Turkish Consulate in Midtown despite safety concerns, the New York Times said, and investigators have also examined his free flights and upgrades from Turkish Airlines.
Late last year, the mayor’s electronic devices were seized by federal authorities, as were the devices of a number of top city officials. Those officials included senior adviser to the mayor Timothy Pearson, schools chancellor David C. Banks, deputy mayor for public safety Philip Banks III, consultant Terence Banks and first deputy mayor Sheena Wright. Three top officials have resigned of late and one, Eric Ulrich, faces charges.
Adams said in a statement late Wednesday, “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.”
Amid the ongoing probe, some prominent officials had called for Adams to step down, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Scott Stringer, the former New York City comptroller, who will be running againstAdams in next year’s Democratic primary.
If Adams resigns, NYC’s Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would become acting mayor. “The news of this indictment is itself incredibly serious. As the facts emerge, the public advocate will have more to say to the people of New York City, and right now, he is focused on how best to ensure that New Yorkers can regain trust, confidence and stability in city government,” Williams said in a statement to the NYT.
Jill Goldsmith contributed to this report
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