Daniel Aardema
Thu, September 26, 2024 at 1:02 AM EDT
Eric Adams Indictment

NEW YORK, NY - New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on at least one federal criminal charge, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. This development follows a months-long investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan, which has been scrutinizing his connections to Turkish officials and campaign donations he received.

The specific charges Mayor Adams is facing have not yet been made public. Sources indicate that the indictment is linked to allegations regarding foreign money being funneled to his campaign. The investigation intensified recently when federal agents seized Adams’ cell phones, escalating the probe directly to the mayor.

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Mayor Adams has denied any wrongdoing, stating, “If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.” His attorneys recently met with senior Justice Department officials in an attempt to stave off federal charges, but their appeal was denied. Sources say Adams is not expected to appear in court immediately and will have several days to turn himself in if required.

The indictment is the latest chapter in a series of legal troubles for Adams’ administration. In recent weeks, multiple high-ranking officials within City Hall, including two deputy mayors and the Schools Chancellor, have been targeted by federal investigators. Edward Caban, the former NYPD Commissioner, was also forced to resign after his phone was seized during a separate investigation.

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This indictment represents a dramatic fall for the mayor, who took office in January 2022 with promises of revitalizing New York City post-COVID and addressing public safety concerns. His administration has faced growing scrutiny and criticism for its handling of the migrant crisis, public safety, and city spending. The charges now threaten not only his political career but also the stability of his administration.

As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are on how this will impact New York City’s leadership and governance. Mayor Adams has stated he is "stepping up, not stepping down," but the political and public pressure is mounting. The story is still developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Update Section

UPDATE (September 26, 2024):

The federal indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been unsealed, revealing charges of campaign contribution fraud, bribery, and conspiracy. According to the 57-page indictment, Adams is accused of accepting over $10 million in public matching funds using straw donors to conceal illegal foreign contributions, particularly from Turkish businessmen and government officials. The allegations date back to 2014 and extend through his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President and his 2021 mayoral campaign.

Federal agents raided Adams' Gracie Mansion residence early Thursday morning, seizing his phone as part of the investigation. Despite the charges, Adams maintains his innocence, stating, "I look forward to defending myself and defending the people of this city, as I've done throughout my entire professional career."

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and the FBI are expected to hold a news conference later today to provide more details on the case. This story is still developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Read the 57-page indictment here!


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