Eric Adams hit with five federal corruption charges in 57-page indictment: Live updates
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 was charged with bribery, wire fraud, solicitation of contribution by a foreign national and conspiracy on Thursday, becoming the first sitting mayor in modern history to face federal criminal charges.
US Attorneys in the Southern District of New York 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 flew Turkish Airline even when it was ‘inconvenient’
The mayor of New York allegedly accepted multiple free business class tickets on Turkish Airline between 2016 and 2017 and as a result flew Turkish Airline, “even when doing so was otherwise inconvenient”.
Federal prosecutors say that during the summer of 2017, Adams’ then-partner was “surprised” to learn Adams was in Turkey when he was supposed to be going from New York to France.
“You know the first stop is always istanbul,” Adams wrote to his partner in a text message, according to prosecutors.
Who are the other people mentioned in the indictment?
There are several unnamed individuals in the federal indictment accused of assisting or participating in the straw donor scheme or the lavish travel benefits from a Turkey official.
The Turkish Official – the individual who allegedly “steered” illegal contributions and improper gifts to Adams.
The Promoter – the person who allegedly “arranged” straw contributions for both of Adams’ mayoral campaigns and favorable treatment in Turkey in 2017 and 2019.
The Businessman – the owner and chairman of a Turkish University who allegedly made illegal contributions to Adams’ 2021 campaign and sought to befriend Adams for his use.
The Adams Staffer – a volunteer at Brooklyn Borough Hall who served as a “Liasion to Eastern Europe Muslim Countries” and later became a City Hall staffer who allegedly “coordinated” illegal campaign contributions and improper travel benefits.
The Businesswoman – a weather Turkish businesswoman who allegedly gave Adams “multiple” free to discounted stays in a luxury hotel she owned. She also organized contributions to Adams’ 2021 campaign.
‘Your turn’: Turkish officials asked Adams to influence FDNY inspection
After allegedly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits from Turkish nationals, the Turkish official accused of colluding with him, asked him for help circumventing a fire department inspection issue with the Turkey consulate in New York.
Federal prosecutors say in September 2021, the official said it was “his turn to repay” and help facilitate the opening of the 36-story Turkey consulate skyscraper.
The building, at the time, had failed a fire inspection.
But Adams allegedly “pressured” FDNY officials to get the building open. Those in charge of the building’s assessment were told they would lose their jobs if they did not comply.
In Photos: Eric Adams after being indicted on five federal counts
Mayor Eric Adams did not appear bothered by a five-count federal criminal indictment on Thursday morning as he stood before reporters to speak about the charges.
Adams denied all allegations of wrongdoing and urged New Yorkers to allow him a day in court before passing judgment.
US Attorney says Adams has a ‘long running’ history of corruption
US Attorney Damien Williams said in a press conference on Thursday that Adams has a “long-running” history of corruption and accepted lavish benefits from Turkish nationals and in turn intervened in a New York City Fire Department fire inspection for the Turkey consulate.
Williams said Adams “Sought and accepted well over $100,000 in luxury travel benefits” and did not disclose any of it.
As a result, those Turkish nationals were able to influence Adams – like allegedly using him to help get the Turkey consulate open even though it did not pass its fire inspection.
That includes luxury hotel rooms and travel benefits to various countries like Turkey, Ghana and Pakistan.
Watch: Eric Adams says he 'followed the law' after being charged with bribery and corruption
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
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