Federal Corruption Investigation Leads to Indictment of Eric Adams
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Eric Adams, a retired police captain elected as New York City’s 110th mayor nearly three years ago on a crime-reduction platform, has been indicted in a federal corruption investigation, according to sources familiar with the situation.
As of Wednesday night, the indictment remains sealed, leaving the specific charges against Mr. Adams unclear. The federal investigation has reportedly examined whether he and his campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal foreign donations.
Once the indictment is unsealed, Mr. Adams, a Democrat, will be the first sitting New York City mayor to face federal charges. The timeline for his surrender to authorities is also unknown, but federal prosecutors are expected to provide more details on Thursday.
This indictment threatens to further destabilize Mr. Adams's administration just months before he faces challengers in a highly competitive mayoral primary. Notably, the announcement coincides with the UN General Assembly in New York, where world leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, are in attendance.
In a defiant video statement released Wednesday, Mr. Adams asserted his innocence, stating, “I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers, I would become 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.”
His legal representation, Brendan R. McGuire from WilmerHale, declined to comment. The U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI, and the city’s Department of Investigation also refrained from commenting on the case.
Even prior to the indictment, Mr. Adams’s administration faced scrutiny due to multiple investigations involving high-ranking aides, which have destabilized City Hall and hindered effective governance. Calls for his resignation have increased in recent weeks.
On Wednesday, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez remarked that it would be difficult for Mayor Adams to continue in his role. Following the indictment news, former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, a Democratic challenger in the upcoming primary, described the administration as “a broken-down train wreck” and called for Mr. Adams’s resignation.
This turn of events marks a significant shift for Mr. Adams, 64, who previously held positions as a state senator and Brooklyn borough president. His administration began with hopes of revitalizing the city post-pandemic while addressing the challenges posed by an influx of migrants from the southern border.
The investigation began in 2021 and centers on potential foreign donations and allegations that Mr. Adams pressured fire officials to approve a new Turkish consulate building despite safety concerns. Investigators are also looking into whether he accepted luxury flights and upgrades from Turkish Airlines, partially owned by the Turkish government, and sought information regarding a Brooklyn construction firm operated by Turkish Americans.
Mr. Adams has acknowledged visiting Turkey multiple times and meeting President Erdogan during his tenure as Brooklyn borough president. The inquiry gained public attention following an FBI search of his chief fundraiser's home last November, where agents seized electronic devices linked to the investigation.
The scrutiny intensified when FBI agents conducted a dramatic search of Mr. Adams's SUV, where they confiscated his electronic devices. Investigations into other officials connected to Mr. Adams have also led to significant career ramifications, with some individuals placed on leave or leaving their positions.
Throughout his career, Mr. Adams has overcome significant obstacles, including dyslexia and early run-ins with police. He rose through the ranks of the NYPD, becoming a captain and advocating for Black officers before transitioning into politics.
Despite facing multiple investigations, Mr. Adams maintained a vision of returning “swagger” to New York City, though his administration has been plagued by scandals. Recent charges against his former senior adviser and buildings commissioner, Eric Ulrich, highlight ongoing issues within his administration.
While Mr. Adams will be the first sitting mayor to face criminal charges, he is not the first New York mayor under investigation. Historical precedents include Jimmy Walker, who resigned amid a corruption scandal, and Bill de Blasio, who faced federal scrutiny but was not charged.
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