New York City Mayor Eric Adams Indicted in Sealed Federal Corruption Case
New York — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted following a federal corruption investigation, according to sources cited by The New York Times. The indictment is currently sealed, and it remains unclear what specific charges Adams is facing.
As of now, it is unknown whether Adams will be arrested or voluntarily surrender. The charges are expected to be unsealed on Thursday when the mayor could potentially appear in court.
The indictment follows a series of troubling developments for the Adams administration. In November 2023, the FBI searched Adams’ electronic devices, and over recent weeks, several high-profile resignations have plagued his administration. The investigation has reportedly entangled multiple city officials, leading to speculation about broader corruption within the city government.
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan, responsible for bringing the charges, has declined to comment on the matter. Adams’ legal team has not yet issued a formal response. However, one of Adams’ attorneys previously confirmed the mayor’s cooperation with the investigation, without revealing specific details.
The investigation could have significant implications for Adams’ political future. He was expected to seek re-election in 2025, but the ongoing legal battle may hamper his campaign. Several Democratic rivals, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, are already planning to challenge Adams for the party’s nomination.
In early November 2023, The New York Times reported that federal authorities were probing whether Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign had accepted illegal donations, possibly involving foreign money funneled through straw-donor schemes. The inquiry centered around alleged contributions from foreign entities, including the Turkish government, facilitated by a Brooklyn construction company.
Additionally, investigators have been looking into Adams’ interactions with foreign governments such as Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.
Adams, a former NYPD officer, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His attorneys, Brendan McGuire and Boyd Johnson, released a statement in August asserting that their internal investigation found no evidence of illegal activities related to the federal probe. They also claimed to have provided federal prosecutors with evidence countering the charges under investigation.
The Adams administration has been in turmoil for the past month. Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned on Sept. 12 after the FBI seized his phone, and Adams’ chief legal advisor also stepped down soon after, citing her inability to continue serving effectively. On Wednesday, Public Schools Chancellor David Banks announced his retirement at the end of the year after his phone was reportedly seized by federal agents.
As the investigation unfolds, New Yorkers are left awaiting further details on the charges against their mayor, with the potential for significant political fallout.
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