New York City Mayor Eric Adams Charged with Bribery and Fraud
Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on five federal charges, including bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. This historic indictment marks Adams as the first sitting mayor of New York City to face criminal prosecution.
According to a 57-page indictment unsealed on Thursday, September 26, Adams’ alleged criminal activities date back to his time 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 documents state.
Prosecutors allege that Adams tried to hide the gifts, attempting to make it appear that he had paid for them. Additionally, he is accused of deleting messages to cover up his actions. The gifts were reportedly valued at tens of thousands of dollars.
In exchange for these benefits, Adams allegedly pressured New York Fire Department officials to approve the opening of a new Turkish consulate in Manhattan despite unresolved fire inspection concerns.
A Fire Department officer responsible for assessing the building’s fire safety claimed that he was threatened with job loss if he failed to comply with the mayor’s orders.
The formal charges come after increased scrutiny of Adams' leadership following a months-long investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan. The investigation reportedly explored Adams’ connections to Turkish officials and businessmen and donations to his campaign. Authorities also searched the mayor’s home as part of the probe.
Several elected officials have called for his resignation. Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the authority to remove him from office, has yet to release a statement.
Meanwhile, Adams has denied any wrongdoing. In a recent video, he asserted, “I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers, I would be a target — and a target I became.”
If Adams resigned, Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate, would take over as acting mayor.
