Written by: Christian Wade (Central Square)
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign contributions following a nearly decade-long investigation.
The indictment, unsealed Thursday by the office of Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, includes five charges: wire fraud, federal program bribery, and receiving campaign contributions from foreign nationals; wire fraud; requesting donations from foreigners; Soliciting donations from foreigners and accepting bribes.
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Williams’ indictment alleges that Adams solicited and accepted more than $10 million in illegal “straw” donations for his 2021 mayoral run, which he said were traced to Turkey.
“Mayor Adams took these donations despite knowing that they were illegal and despite knowing that they were attempts by Turkish government officials and Turkish businessmen to buy him and his influence,” Williams said during a press briefing Thursday. “The mayor was required to disclose these gifts on his annual financial disclosure form so that the public would know who was giving him what.”
Federal prosecutors also allege in the indictment that Adams “sought and accepted improper and valuable interests” since at least 2014, when he was then Brooklyn borough president. Adams also allegedly received more than $100,000 in gifts from the Turkish government, including free travel to Turkey, meals and hotel rooms, and created a “fake paper trail” to hide the gifts or make it appear he had not paid for them. them.
In return, Adams, as mayor, pressured the New York Fire Department to open a new Turkish consulate building in Manhattan, even though it failed fire safety inspections. Prosecutors said FDNY officials were threatened with termination if they did not follow the mayor’s orders.
“As Adams’s fame and power grew, his foreign benefactors sought to exploit their corrupt relationships with him to make money, especially when it became clear that Adams would become mayor of New York in 2021,” prosecutors wrote in 57-57. I wrote it. Page indicted. “Adams agreed to provide favorable treatment in return for the illegal benefits he received.”
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This indictment, the first in the history of New York’s mayor, is a dramatic fall for the mayor of America’s largest city, who was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party.
At a news conference early Thursday morning, Adams denied any wrongdoing and claimed federal investigators were demonizing him. He urged New Yorkers not to be quick to judge his indictment.
“I ask New Yorkers to wait until they hear from our lawyers,” Adams said at a briefing as hecklers called for his resignation. “Anyone who knows me knows I follow the campaign rules and follow the law.”
Adams, 64, was elected leader of America’s most populous city nearly three years ago, pledging to reduce crime and steer the city out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But news of the federal investigation surfaced last year after federal authorities searched the home of Brianna Suggs, a key Adams fundraiser, and temporarily confiscated Adams’ electronic devices.
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A series of investigations led to the resignations of New York Police Commissioner Ed Caban, the city’s health commissioner and the city’s schools chancellor, David Banks. David Banks’ older brother, Deputy Mayor Phil Banks, and his fiancee Sheena Wright have resigned. The deputy mayor was among city hall officials who seized the devices as part of the investigation.
In recent weeks, calls for Adams’ resignation have grown louder, including from New York Democrats such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and state Sen. John Liu (D-Queens).
If Adams resigns, New York City public advocate Jumaane Williams will take over as acting mayor. He will then schedule a special election for a new mayor to be held within 90 days.
Syndicated with permission in the central square.
