New York City Mayor Eric Adams is now facing federal charges related to bribery, fraud, and soliciting political contributions from a foreign national, as revealed in an indictment unsealed on Thursday. This marks a significant development following a lengthy investigation.
In a video message released on Wednesday, shortly after the indictment news broke, Adams declared his innocence.
Federal agents reportedly arrived at the mayor’s official residence, Gracie Mansion, early Thursday morning, as reported by member station Gothamist.
The indictment details accusations against Adams throughout his nearly ten years in public service, first as a borough president and subsequently as mayor. It claims he accepted inappropriate benefits, including luxury international travel, from wealthy foreign individuals and at least one Turkish official hoping to exert influence over him.
The indictment alleges that Adams’ overseas contributors bypassed federal laws meant to prevent foreign influence on U.S. elections by using U.S.-based straw donors to funnel contributions to him.
Adams is also accused of exploiting New York City’s public matching-funds system, claiming that his 2021 mayoral campaign garnered over $10 million in public funds through false claims.
These federal charges represent a dramatic shift in the trajectory of Adams’ career, which began as an NYPD officer and state senator before becoming borough president and winning the mayoral election in 2021.
If Adams were to resign, Jumaane D. Williams, the city’s public advocate, would be next in line to assume the mayoralty, followed by Comptroller Brad Lander. Williams, a former city council member from Brooklyn, is also a declared challenger to Adams in the 2025 election.
When asked on Wednesday about the possibility of resignation, Adams remained resolute, stating, “I’m stepping up, not stepping down. I have a city to run.”
The circumstances surrounding the indictment are not entirely clear regarding how much notice Adams received. During the same news conference, he expressed optimism about the future.
Recently, Adams’ administration has experienced a series of high-profile resignations, including NYPD Commissioner Eric Caban, who stepped down a week after federal agents seized his cellphone. This was followed by the resignations of Lisa Zornberg, the mayor’s chief counsel, and Kristen Kaufman, the deputy commissioner for public private partnerships.
Rumors of potential trouble began last fall when federal agents conducted raids targeting individuals within Adams’ close circle. Among those raided was his chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, which highlighted the ongoing scrutiny of fundraising practices among mayors.
Political observers became increasingly concerned when federal agents also seized the mayor’s phones, a move considered unprecedented in New York City.
The investigation has drawn attention due to its focus on illegal donations from Turkish officials and separate inquiries into one of Adams’ fundraisers who concentrated on the Chinese community.