New York City Mayor Eric Adams did Charged by federal authorities Allegedly receiving illegal donations and benefits from a Turkish government official and Turkish businessmen and receiving favorable treatment in return.
The indictment follows months of investigation by federal prosecutors, who are looking into many of Adams’ current and former aides, including Schools Chancellor David Banks and Police Commissioner Edward Caban, who recently resigned after their phones were seized. Others in Adams’ orbit—including Ex Head of Building Department and a Former Police Inspector — while also facing their own scandals and complaints.
Adams denied breaking the law, a Video statement on Wednesday“I am innocent, and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and soul.”
Adams’ allegations, made public Thursday, involved Five federal corruption charges. The charges implicate Adams as New York City’s first-time mayor, and will likely have a significant impact on the upcoming 2025 mayoral race, in which he was expected to run.
First elected as mayor in 2021, Adams previously served as Brooklyn borough president, state senator and a New York City police officer. He is known for his aggressive push to increase policing and fight crime as mayor, as well as his bombastic comments about immigrants and kooky catchphrases about governance. Now, his tenure as a public servant may be coming to an end.
Below is a summary of what we know about the charge and its implications
What are the charges against Eric Adams?
The allegations are at the center of Adams’ mayoral campaign. They allege that he knowingly accepted illegal donations with the help of a Turkish government official and supported them – such as luxury plane tickets – as part of a quid pro quo relationship with the country. Together, they paint a picture of a foreign government official cultivating a prominent US politician for years. The charges are:
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, solicitation of foreign contributions and acceptance of bribes (1 count): Adams is accused of setting up an illegal system to accept foreign donations as part of his mayoral campaign, accepting multiple airline tickets and luxury travel benefits from Turkish government officials and Turkish businessmen, and helping to block a Turkish consulate building in New York City. Regulatory requirements in exchange.
Wire Fraud (1 count): Some campaign donations in New York City may be matched with public funds to encourage candidates to seek small-dollar donations. The complaint alleges that Adams fraudulently sought matching funds for donations that he knew came from “straw donors” or that donors used to raise money from another source. He is accused of using straw donors in his 2021 and 2025 campaigns and thus securing $10 million in public matching funds.
Contribution request by a foreign national (count 2): US political candidates are barred from accepting donations from foreign nationals, with Adams accused of knowingly taking money from Turkish nationals.
Bribery (1 count): The charges also relate to Adams’ alleged exchange of certain travel benefits, such as expensive plane tickets, to relax regulatory requirements for the new Turkish consulate building. The building had yet to pass fire safety screening ahead of the Turkish president’s visit, and Adams reportedly pressed a fire department official to get approval quickly. The benefits he received are allegedly worth nearly $100,000.
And who has been accused of corruption?
almost Two dozen people There are open investigations and lawsuits involving Adams and his associates, not all of them related to corruption.
That investigation included scrutiny of the campaign’s ties to six different countries Allegations of extortion And Allegation of bribery Adams is associated with a consulting firm run by siblings of administration officials. Adams And One of his advisors Also faces allegations of sexual misconduct.
So far, two powerful people linked to Adams have also been indicted:
- Eric UlrichAdams’ former building department commissioner has been charged with accepting $150,000 in bribes in exchange for favors such as approval of building inspections.
- Dwayne MontgomeryA former deputy police inspector who served on the force at the same time as Adams has pleaded guilty to arranging for straw donors to give thousands of dollars to Adams’ 2021 campaign.
Other officials, including former Police Commissioner Caban, Schools Chancellor Banks, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phillip Banks and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, have not yet been charged, but their phones have been seized. The homes of Adams’ former chief fundraiser Brianna Suggs, senior adviser Winnie Greco, interim police commissioner Thomas Donlon and an aide who is on leave, Rana Abbasova, were also searched.
Should Eric Adams resign? What will happen if Adams does not resign?
Adams does not have to resign because of the indictment. Experts say News Outlet City.
There are ways to potentially force his removal though. New York Governor Cathy Hochul He has the power to first suspend, then remove him from office, although this is a power that the state executive has rarely used.
New York City officials may also set up a panel known as a “disability committee,” which then empowers a group of City Council members to vote on whether Adams is unable to perform his job. If two-thirds agreed with that assessment, he would have to step down.
If Adams leaves, Public Advocate Jumane Williams will serve as acting mayor and a special election for the job will be held within 80 days of Adams leaving.
Who called for Eric Adams to resign?
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York is among the national lawmakers who have called on Adams to resign. He did this first before he was indicted, in light of ongoing investigations against other members of his administration.
“Nonstop scrutiny will make it impossible to hire and retain a competent administration,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement to XFormerly known as Twitter. He should resign for the good of the city.
Others who joined the chorus Includes several members of the New York City Council Like Tiffany Caban, Lincoln Ressler and Chris Banks.
Who is running for mayor in 2025?
Adams was scheduled for re-election the following year, however There was widespread dissatisfaction with his tenure Several others requested to join the fight.
Even before the impeachment, the race was supposed to be a packed one, including current City Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Sen. Zelenor Maire and State Sen. Jessica Ramos.
Adams is also in the running, and doesn’t have to step down because of his allegations. However, he was Not a popular figure Before his recent legal troubles – and if he chooses to stay in office, and in the competition, he will likely find the competition tough.
