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.
Adams’ press conference interrupted by protesters
Mayor Eric Adams smiled through an extremely chaotic press conference on Thursday morning and he and his allies tried to speak while protesters shouted at him and interrupted.
Protesters screamed “disgrace” and “resign” at Adams as he attempted to declare his innocence.
His allies, who spoke in defense of Adams, shouted into a microphone, asking the protesters to “shut up” and stop screaming at them.
Adams says he ‘expected’ charges
Mayor Eric Adams said he would not step down from his position as the top official in New York City despite being indicted on five federal criminal charges on Wednesday evening.
In a press conference, Adams said “expected” the charges and was “not surprised.”
Adams allegedly accepted lavish benefits from Turkish government official
Mayor Eric Adams allegedly accepted luxurious benefits from at least one Turkish government official, federal prosecutors allege.
The mayor also allegedly accepted luxury travel benefits from wealthy foreigners and sought to conceal them.
Indictment accuses Adams of accepting ‘straw’ donor contributions
The federal indictment against Adams accuses him of accepting “straw” donations, or illegal campaign contributions.
Federal prosecutors allege nationals gave Adams contributions with money that was given to them by other foreign individuals.
“Adams increased his fundraising by accepting these concealed, illegal donations – at he costs of giving his secret patrons the undue influence over him that the law tries to prevent,” federal prosecutors said
Eric Adams charged with bribery, wire fraud and more
Eric Adams was charged with four federal crimes associated with his solicitation and acceptance of illegal campaign contributions.
In a federal indictment, unsealed on Thursday, prosecutors charged Adams with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, bribery, and two counts of solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national
The charges, stemming from an investigation into Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign and his ties to Turkish government officials
Watch live: Criminal charges against Eric Adams expected to be unsealed
Watch live: Criminal charges against Eric Adams expected to be unsealed
Watch live outside the United States Courthouse in New York City as an indictment detailing charges against mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, is expected to be unsealed on Thursday, 26 September.
Chuck Schumer declines to comment on indictment
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was asked to comment on the Eric Adams indictment.
Here’s what he didn’t have to say.
Everything you need to know about FBI probe
Embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on at least one criminal charge by federal prosecutors, making him the first mayor of the city to be charged in office, according to reports.
Adams is under federal investigation over campaign fundraising violations and foreign influence, according to the New York Times, which first reported the indictment on Wednesday night.
Graeme Massie and Rhian Lubin report:
NYC mayor Eric Adams indicted: All you need to know about FBI probe
Democrat is fighting for his political career after becoming New York City’s first mayor to be indicted while in office
Press conference to be held at 11:30 am ET
US Attorneys in Manhattan announced there will be a press conference at 11:30 a.m. ET to unveil “significant public corruption charges.”
Biden met with former NYC mayor on Wednesday evening
President Joe Bide met with former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday evening for a reception at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In his remarks, the president said: “He’s not the mayor right now, but he’s still the mayor.”
His comment was met with laughter from the audience.
Just hours later, it would be revealed that the current mayor, Eric Adams, was indicted.
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