NEW YORK (WPIX) – Charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were unsealed Thursday following a federal criminal indictment.
The charges stem from a federal investigation into his 2021 mayoral campaign, and the indictment was unsealed Thursday morning before federal investigators planned a news conference.
The charges include bribery, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States (conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals).
According to the indictment, Adams accepted tens of thousands of dollars in free flights and upgrades on Turkey’s national airline for him and his companions, stays in luxury hotel suites, as well as other amenities such as a car and driver, boat tour, a Turkish bath at a seaside hotel and high-end restaurant meals.
Adams allegedly “solicited and demanded” these free and heavily discounted luxury travel benefits from a Turkish official, the indictment alleges, noting that the official was seeking Adams’ help pertaining to regulations of the Turkish consulate in Manhattan.
In 2019, while exchanging text messages to plan another possible to trip to Turkey, an Adams staffer texted the then-Borough President, “To be o(n the) safe side Please Delete all messages you send me,” according to the indictment.
According to prosecutors, Adams responded: “Always do.”
The indictment alleges Adams “compounded his gains” from the illegal contributions by gaming the city’s matching funds program, which provides a generous match for small dollar donations. His campaign received more than $10,000 in matching funds as a result of the false certifications, according to the indictment.
New York Mayor Eric Adams speaks on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Federal investigators arrived at Gracie Mansion Thursday morning and seized Adams’ cellphone, according to his lawyer, Alex Spiro. Spiro called Thursday’s search an unnecessary “spectacle.”
“We are not surprised. We expected this,” Adams said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. “I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before making any judgments.”
The indictment does not affect Adams’ standing as mayor. For Adams to leave his post, he would have to resign or be directly removed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
After the charges were unsealed Thursday, Adams said he would not be resigning.
“From here, my attorneys will take care of the case so I can take care of the city,” said Adams outside Gracie Mansion. “My day-to-day will not change. I will continue to do the job for 8.3 million New Yorkers that I was elected to do.”
The historic indictment comes after a year of intensifying investigations. Federal investigators have been looking into Adams since at least November 2023, when the FBI raided the home of a campaign fundraising consultant for the mayor.
Earlier this month, federal authorities also raided the homes of several members of his inner circle, including Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, Schools Chancellor David Banks, and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
Investigators also seized the cellphones of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, who subsequently resigned, and other NYPD lieutenants as part of a separate investigation.
When Thomas Donlon was announced as interim NYPD commissioner, his house too was searched. Donlon has said that the investigation is unrelated to his work with the NYPD.
Caban was not alone in resigning. David Banks, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, Corporation Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix, Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg and Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan all resigned from the Adams administration in recent months.
Despite Adams’ intention to stay in office, a growing number of city and state officials called on the mayor to resign.
Adams is the first mayor in New York City history to be indicted while in office. If he were to resign, he would be replaced by the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, who would then schedule a special election.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
