New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on five corruption charges for allegedly accepting bribes and campaign contributions from foreigners. He surrendered to federal authorities and is set to appear in court to enter a plea. Adams denied wrongdoing and vowed to fight the charges.
The charges against Adams include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, bribery, and solicitation of campaign contributions from a foreign national. Prosecutors allege that Turkish diplomats and businesspeople funneled money to Adams’ campaign and provided him with luxury travel perks in exchange for favorable treatment.
The alleged scheme dates back to 2014 when Adams was Brooklyn borough president, and continued during his 2021 mayoral campaign. Prosecutors claim that Adams received $10 million in illegal campaign contributions and $100,000 in free travel to various countries.
In 2021, Adams allegedly pressured city officials to allow Turkey’s new consulate to open despite safety concerns in exchange for the benefits he received. This led to the indictment following a grand jury investigation.
Adams, a former police captain, is the first New York City mayor to be charged with a federal crime while in office. The fallout from the indictment has also led to the resignation of other city officials, including Police Commissioner Eric Caban and Adams’ top legal adviser Lisa Zornberg. Adams maintains his innocence and intends to continue his mayoral duties while fighting the charges in court.
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