Eric Adams, mayor of New York City, indicted on federal charges

Adams is the first New York City mayor to be criminally indicted while in office

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on federal criminal charges on Wednesday, according to people familiar with the matter.

It is unclear what the charges are, the indictment is currently under seal. However, Adams has been facing numerous federal investigations.

The FBI and the New York City Department of Investigations will release more information about the indictment against Adams on Thursday.

For months the mayor and those close to him, including employees, have been facing subpoenas, raids and allegations of wrongdoing.

In a statement, Adams said, “I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target—and a target I became. If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, pictures in November 2023, has been facing multiple investigations for over a year now – the most prominent related to allegations of campaign finance corruption (REUTERS)

Adams later released a video proclaiming his innocence.

“My fellow New Yorkers, it is now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes,” said Adams in the video. “If so, these charges will be entirely false, based on lies. But they would not be surprising. I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a target, and a target I became.”

He added: “I can also understand how everyday New Yorkers would be concerned that I cannot do my job while I face accusations, but I have been facing these lies for months since I began to speak out for all of you and their investigation started.”

One of those allegations of wrongdoing is related to an alleged straw donor scheme.

In November 2023, federal agents seized Adams’ electronic devices as part of an ongoing probe into allegations of corruption related to campaign finance misconduct.

According to reports, Adams allegedly benefitted from a straw donor scheme during his 2021 mayoral campaign through his ties to Turkish government officials and Turkish nationals.

The New York City mayor has been vocal about his longstanding relationship with Turkey and the Turkish-American community of New York. He previously boasted that he’s made at least six trips to Turkey.

Reports circulated that Adams received campaign donations from employees of a Brooklyn-based construction company owned by a Turkish-American businessman. That investigation came to light last year after FBI agents raided the home of his campaign’s chief fundraiser, 25-year-old Brianna Suggs.

It also adjacently related to an investigation into whether Adams pressured the New York City Fire Department to approve a new Turkish consulate.

According to a recent Times report, federal prosecutors expanded that probe to include five other countries, Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea and Uzbekistan.

Adams has vehemently denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams attends a press conference after he was subpoenaed by the federal grand jury at New York City Hall on August 16, 2024 in New York (AFP via Getty Images)

Members of Adams’s administration and those in his inner circle have been subject to searches and subpoenas regarding various other investigations.

In September, federal prosecutors conducted raids on Edward Caban, the former NY Police Commissioner, and his brother James Caban as part of an ongoing probe into whether James profited off his brother’s position to serve as a “consultant” in the nightclub industry.

Edward resigned from his position on September 17, less than two months after taking office.

Another federal investigation is examining a potential bribery scheme involving Adams, senior members of City Hall and a government consulting company.

Investigators seized the electronic devices of School Chancellor David Banks, Deputy Mayor Philip Banks III and their brother Terence Banks, who previously worked for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. They also conducted searches on First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.

On September 24, David Banks announced he would retire at the end of the year.

Separately, investigators in the Eastern District of New York have searched the homes of Winnie Greco, a former senior adviser to Adams. Greco has been placed on unpaid leave.

News of the indictment led former and current politicians to call for Adams to resign. Earlier in the day on Wednesday, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asked the mayor to step down amid the scandals.

Former NY comptroller Scott Stringer, who is also running against Adams in the Democratic primary next year, said the mayor should resign “for the good of the city.”

Adams is not required to resign.