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.
Gatekeepers News reports that the 57-page indictment, unsealed on Thursday morning, alleges illegal actions dating back to 2014, during his tenure as Brooklyn Borough president.
“For nearly a decade, Adams sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him,” the indictment reads.
Specifically, Adams received luxury travel and other benefits from a Turkish official and later in exchange pressured the NYC Fire Department to open a Turkish consular building without a fire inspection, the indictment says.
The mayor “engaged in a long-running conspiracy,” Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Thursday.
“Mayor Adams took these contributions even though he knew they were illegal,” Williams said. “He knew these contributions were attempts by a Turkish government official and Turkish businessmen to buy influence with him.”
Adams is scheduled to have his first court appearance at noon Friday.
Adams said Thursday morning he was not surprised by the charges and encouraged the public to “wait to hear our defense before making any judgments,” adding he would not be changing his day-to-day responsibilities in light of the indictment.
“I look forward to defending myself and defending the people of this city as I’ve done throughout my entire professional career,” Adams said.
Adams’ attorney defended his client, saying the mayor told his staffers not to accept foreign money.
“The travel, the expenses, the flight they talk about is in 2017 – seven years ago, five years before he is mayor,” Alex Spiro said outside the mayor’s official residence, Gracie Mansion, with the mayor at his side. “There is nothing illegal or improper about that, but they don’t want you to look at that too long.”
In an email to city employees Thursday, Adams claimed innocence and asked them to remain focused on New Yorkers.
“While my legal team thoroughly reviews the allegations that were just released publicly, let me be very clear, I know I’ve done nothing wrong. I am committed to continuing to fight on behalf of New Yorkers as your mayor,” the email reads in part.
Adams, a former NYPD captain, took office in January 2022.
