Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Jimmy Williams
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted Thursday on federal charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery, marking a significant legal crisis for the former NYPD captain-turned-politician.
The indictment, unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, alleges Adams accepted illegal campaign contributions and bribes from foreign nationals, including Turkish officials, in exchange for favors such as fire safety approvals for a diplomatic building.
According to the five-count indictment, Adams engaged in a decade-long scheme, seeking and accepting illegal contributions to his mayoral campaign and manipulating the city’s matching funds program to his advantage. Prosecutors claim Adams received more than $10,000 in matching funds through false certifications, compounding his gains from the illicit donations.
A key element of the case involves allegations that Adams received free and discounted luxury travel from Turkish officials, including trips to France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, and Turkey. The indictment also claims that Adams solicited bribes and created false records to conceal the true nature of his benefits, deleting incriminating communications with co-conspirators.
Adams and his campaign have been under scrutiny for months, with federal investigators conducting raids, seizing devices, and issuing subpoenas to his inner circle. On Thursday, FBI agents entered Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence, and seized Adams’ phone just hours before the charges were made public.
“We expected this. This is not surprising to us at all,” Adams said at a press conference held at Gracie Mansion shortly after the indictment was unsealed. “I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before making any judgments.”
Hazel Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference and a longtime supporter of Adams, stood by the mayor, urging the public to keep an open mind. “We are calling on all New Yorkers to listen carefully, not to the loudmouth, but listen to facts and figures,” Dukes said.
The indictment comes amid a broader investigation into Adams’ administration, which has seen a wave of high-profile resignations, including those of the city’s police commissioner and head of the school system. Federal prosecutors are believed to be leading multiple inquiries involving Adams, his senior aides, and potential influence peddling within the city’s police and fire departments.
Adams, who served 22 years in the NYPD before his political career, was elected as New York City’s second Black mayor in 2021. His tenure has been marked by rising political tensions, and this latest development adds to the growing legal woes surrounding his administration.
Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams from office, is closely monitoring the situation but has refrained from further comment. “Governor Hochul is aware of these concerning news reports and is monitoring the situation. It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement,” said her spokesperson, Avi Small.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan is set to provide more details in a late-morning press conference, as Adams faces a critical legal battle that could determine his political future.
