New York City Mayor Eric Adams is in deep shit.
A grand jury in New York indicted Adams on federal charges which are expected to be unsealed on Thursday. However, speculation indicates that the charges brought against the New York City Mayor will stem from Turkish officials and businessmen, as well as campaign donations he received. This came after a months-long investigation by the New York City prosecutor looking into what’s believed to be widespread corruption within the Adams administration.
Adams has denied any wrongdoing and brushed off any calls for his resignation.
“I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be 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,” Adams said, responding to the news of the indictment on Wednesday night. Meanwhile on Tuesday, Adams mentioned that he’s “stepping up, not stepping down.” when the questions came to his future in office.
Leading up to tonight’s indictment, the Adams administration faced an onslaught of resignations including his police commissioner Edward Caban who had his electronic devices confiscated for examination. Authorities also targetted Caban’s brother James Caban, a former police officer, in the ongoing investigation.
Eric Adams indicted on federal charges of bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting a political contribution from a foreign national
The indictment of New York City mayor Eric Adams was unsealed Thursday morning and to no one’s surprise, the charges against him are incredibly serious. Adams is currently facing federal charges of bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting a political contribution from a foreign national.
You can read the full indictment below:
According to the indictment, 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.”
Additionally, the indictment alleges that “By smuggling their contributions to ADAMS through U.S.-based straw donors, ADAMS’s overseas contributors defeated federal laws that serve to prevent foreign influence on U.S. elections.”
Adams is accused of using New York City’s public matching-funds system to compound his gains, with the indictment alleging that because of bogus claims, Adams’ “2021 mayoral campaign received more than $10,000,000 in public funds.”