NYC Mayor Eric Adams pleads not guilty as he faces 45 years in prison on corruption charges: Live updates
The Democrat is the first sitting mayor in New York City modern history to face criminal charges
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of bribery, wire fraud, solicitation of contribution by a foreign national, and conspiracy.
Adams entered his plea at Manhattan federal court on Friday afternoon. He is the first sitting mayor in the city's modern history to face federal criminal charges.
US Attorneys in the Southern District of New York on Thursday unveiled a sprawling five-count indictment against Adams, accusing him of seeking and accepting “illegal campaign contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign, as well as other things of value, from foreign nationals.”
The charges stem from a months-long federal investigation into his 2021 mayoral campaign and his ties to Turkish government officials and Turkish nationals.
Federal prosecutors are accusing Adams of accepting “illegal” campaign donations, funneled through a straw donor scheme, and accepting luxurious benefits in exchange for wielding his power to intervene in a fire inspection at the Turkey consulate.
Adams said he was “not surprised” by the charges and denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
He declared he would not step down from his position as the top official in New York City, despite current and former lawmakers calling upon him to resign.
Who is Jumaane Williams?
Adams has vowed to fight the charges against him but if he does resign, Jumaane Williams will step in to replace him as acting mayor.
He would be in charge of setting a date for a special election, which could happen by the end of this year.
Williams, the city’s public advocate, is a fierce critic of Adams and, by contrast, is a progressive Democrat.
He previously said of Adams: “I’m not sure how you continue to govern with, every day, more corrupt arrests, more corrupt suspicions.”
In particular, he has criticized the mayor’s “aggressive” policing strategy, including the city’s stop-and-frisk tactics.
Williams has also called for an end to solitary confinement in the city’s prisons.
When does Adams have to surrender?
When news of the indictment broke on Wednesday night, Adams had not been officially informed, according to reports.
It is unclear whether he will appear in court today.
The mayor has several days to turn himself in, sources familiar with the investigation have told CNN.
His attorneys were reportedly previously informed he would be summoned to surrender at a future date if he was charged.
Watch: Eric Adams vows to fight federal charges
How lawyers for Eric Adams met prosecutors to try to stop charges
In a bid to stop the criminal charges against him, attorneys for Adams met with officials from the Justice Department last week, CNN reports.
Lawyers Boyd Johnson and Brendan MacGuire, for Adams, reportedly met with the US Attorneys office in Manhattan where they were told prosecutors were seeking an indictment of the mayor.
At the meeting, they were reportedly informed their appeal was denied by prosecutors in Washington.
The investigation is being conducted by the US Attorneys office. As Adams is a sitting politician, the Justice Department is involved in any decision to file charges against him.
Indictment coincides with week world leaders are in New York City for UN summit
It is unclear what the specific charge or charges Adams faces, but the indictment could be unsealed later today.
The federal investigation centers on whether Adams and his campaign conspired with the Turkish government over illegal donations from overseas, according to the New York Times.
The indictment coincides with when world leaders are gathering in New York City at the United Nations General Assembly.
Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was in the city earlier this week for the summit and has already departed, according to reports.
What to know as NYC mayor Eric Adams is indicted in FBI probe
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on at least one criminal charge by federal prosecutors, according to a report.
What charges does he face?
Adams was criminally indicted on Wednesday on federal charges, according to people familiar with the matter.
It is unclear at this time what the charges could be, the indictment is under seal at this time, the New York Times reported. However, Adams has been facing numerous federal investigations.
It is not clear if Adams will surrender voluntarily or if he will be arrested. Prosecutors are likely to unseal the charges against him today when he could also appear in court.
Graeme Massie reports.
What to know as NYC mayor Eric Adams is indicted in FBI probe
Democrat is first city mayor to be indicted while in office
Adams currently meeting with lawyers and chief of staff at Gracie Mansion
It’s expected that Adams will turn himself into the police though it’s not clear when. NY1 Now is reporting the meeting between Adams, his counsel and chief of staff.
Mayor Adams claps back at AOC’s resignation call
Eric Adams has hit back at congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after she pressed the New York City mayor to resign amid a corruption probe.
Adams, a Democrat, has been criminally indicted on federal charges, according to people familiar with the matter.
Adams has denied what he called “entirely false” charges.“I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a post on X.
“The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.”
Adams responded by saying: “For anyone who self-righteously claims people charged with serious crimes should not be in jail to now say that the second Black mayor of New York should resign because of rumors and innuendo — without even a single charge being filed — is the height of hypocrisy.”
“I am leading this city to protect it from exactly that kind of phony politics. The people of this city elected me to fight for them, and I will stay and fight no matter what.”
Former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio says he has two reactions on Adams’ indictment
“One is, of course, shock and concern for our city. And then another is a very strong reminder that innocent until proven guilty is the American way,” he said.
“I went through an experience with a Southern District where I saw a lot of things that did not come true despite allegations. I do think we have to be really careful here. We haven’t seen anything specific.”
In 2021, the Department of Investigation accused de Blasio of misusing NYPD resources for “political purposes” during his failed presidential bid. He was ultimately charged with a $475,000 fine.
Ocasio-Cortez says Mayor Adams should resign
Member of congress Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has called on New York City mayor Eric Adams to resign, the first nationally prominent Democrat to do so amid escalating federal criminal investigations into the mayor’s administration.
Her calls for his resignation came hours before it was revealed that Adams had been criminally indicted on federal charges.
“I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City,” Ms Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X.
“The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration,” she added.
“For the good of the city, he should resign.”
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