NEW YORK (WPIX) – Charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were unsealed Thursday following a federal criminal indictment.
The charges stem from a federal investigation into his 2021 mayoral campaign, and the indictment was unsealed Thursday morning before federal investigators planned a news conference.
The charges include bribery, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States (conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals).
Federal investigators arrived at Gracie Mansion Thursday morning and seized Adams’ cellphone, according to his lawyer, Alex Spiro. Spiro called Thursday’s search an unnecessary “spectacle.”
The indictment does not affect Adams’ standing as mayor. For Adams to leave his post, he would have to resign or be directly removed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Adams said he plans to fight the indictment and called for an immediate trial to prove his innocence in a video statement Wednesday night.
After the charges were unsealed Thursday, Adams said he would not be resigning.
The historic indictment comes after a year of intensifying investigations. Federal investigators have been looking into Adams since at least November 2023, when the FBI raided the home of a campaign fundraising consultant for the mayor.
Federal authorities were investigating if Adams received illegal donations from the Turkish government and businessmen in exchange for favorable treatment during his 2021 mayoral campaign, according to The New York Times. The FBI also seized Adams’ cellphones.
Earlier this month, federal authorities raided the homes of several members of his inner circle, including Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, Schools Chancellor David Banks, and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
Investigators also seized the cellphones of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, who subsequently resigned, and other NYPD lieutenants as part of a separate investigation.
New York Mayor Eric Adams speaks on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
When Thomas Donlon was announced as interim NYPD commissioner, his house too was searched. Donlon has said that the investigation is unrelated to his work with the NYPD.
Caban was not alone in resigning. David Banks, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, Corporation Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix, Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg and Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan all resigned from the Adams administration in recent months.
Despite Adams’ intention to stay in office, a growing number of city and state officials called on the mayor to resign.
Adams is the first mayor in New York City history to be indicted while in office. If he were to resign, he would be replaced by the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, who would then schedule a special election.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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