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New York Mayor Eric Adams Reportedly Indicted On Federal Criminal Charges

City’s Democratic leader says he intends to defend against charges expected to be unsealed on Thursday.

Topline: Federal agents raided New York Mayor Eric Adams’ official residence, Gracie Mansion, early on Thursday, hours after reports emerged that he had been indicted on federal criminal charges by a grand jury.

 

NYC Mayor Investigations
Eric Adams was indicted on federal criminal charges on Wednesday night, according to multiple ... [+] Associated Press

 

Key Facts

The indictment remains sealed and the charges against the New York mayor are not yet public, according to the New York Times, which first reported the indictment on Wednesday night.

While the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan has not commented on the reports, federal agents arrived at Gracie Mansion to search the residence at 6 a.m, the Times reported.

In a defiant video statement shortly before the indictment was reported, Adams said: “It is now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with federal crimes…If so, these charges will be entirely false, based on lies.”

Adams also dismissed calls for him to resign, saying the people of New York “elected me to lead this city and lead it, I will.”

The New York mayor said if he is charged, he will request an “immediate trial so that New Yorkers can hear the truth.”

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Crucial Quote

“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,” Adams said in his statement.

 

Chief Critics

Several top New York City political leaders—including Adams’ potential primary opponents in next year's mayoral race—called on him to resign on Wednesday evening. New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie, who is mulling a run for the mayor’s office, wrote on X: “This is a sad day for the city…We need a leader who is fully focused, without distraction, on the enormous challenges we face…A mayor under the weight of a serious indictment can no longer do that — and today I am calling on him to resign.” New York City Comptroller Brad Lander tweeted: “The hardworking people of New York City deserve a city government and leadership they can trust. Right now, they don’t have it…The most appropriate path forward is for [Adams] to step down so that New York City can get the full focus its leadership demands.” Even before the report of the indictment emerged, Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez issued a statement saying: “I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City…For the good of the city, he should resign.”

 

Can Adams Be Removed From Office?

Adams has rejected calls for his resignation despite several leaders raising concerns about his ability to continue serving in office while defending himself in court. Adams is not legally required to step down, however, the city’s charter allows New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to suspend Adams from office for up to 30 days before removing him. Hochul’s office has not yet commented. If he resigns or is removed from office, the New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams will take over as acting mayor and a special election will be called. Williams retweeted a statement his office provided to the Times, in which he said: “The news of this indictment is itself incredibly serious. As the facts emerge, the Public Advocate will have more to say.

 

Key Background

Adams’ reported indictment comes at a time when his administration is in turmoil while facing an expanding federal investigation. The investigations first became public after FBI agents raided the Brooklyn home of the mayor’s chief fundraiser Brianna Suggs in November last year. A few days later, FBI agents seized Adams’ phones and electronic devices in Manhattan. Earlier this month, federal agents seized phones and electronic devices from several key Adams aides, including the city’s police commissioner, schools chancellor, first deputy mayor, deputy mayor of public safety, and a senior advisor to the mayor. Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned after his devices were seized, telling his officers he didn’t want the investigations “to create a distraction.” Schools Chancellor David Banks also said he will step down at the end of the year. According to several reports, the investigation into Adams is focused on potential illegal foreign donations to his campaign from the Turkish government.

 

Further Reading

Eric Adams Is Indicted After Federal Corruption Investigation (New York Times)

Tracking Charges and Investigations in Eric Adams’s Orbit (New York Times)

 

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Author: Editors Desk, Siladitya Ray Forbes Staff Siladitya Ray is a New Delhi-based Forbes news team reporter.

Source: Forbes Magazine:::

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