Eric Adams hit with five federal corruption charges in 57-page indictment: Live updates

Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove mayor Eric Adams from office, has issued a statement following the Democrat’s indictment on criminal charges.

Avi Small, a spokesperson for the governor, said: “Governor Hochul is aware of these concerning news reports and is monitoring the situation.”

“It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement.”

New York City mayor Eric Adams’s indictment by a grand jury on federal criminal charges has sparked calls for the Democrat’s resignation.

The indictment marks a stunning turn for Adams, a former police captain who won election nearly three years ago to become the second Black mayor of the nation’s largest city. It comes after weeks of searches, subpoenas and resignations of top officials that have pushed the city’s administration into a crisis.

Adams is the first mayor in New York City history to be indicted while in office. If he were to resign, he would be replaced by the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, who would then schedule a special election.

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

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

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

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.

Ariana Baio has more:

According to a White House pool report written by a reporter at The Guardian, Biden and Adams were together shortly before the indictment was revealed.

The men met at a reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby and Chef Jose Andres were there as well.

Sources tell the New York City outlet that Adams could be charged as an unregistered foreign agent for taking actions in his official capacity after receiving donations from foreign sources.

Politico is reporting.

During that year’s session, senate republicans replaced Democrat Malcolm Smith as Majority Leader after two dissident Democrats switched sides, handing control to the Republicans. Adams served in the Senate from 2006 to 2013 representing Brooklyn.

Federal officials seized the phones from numerous city officials, including one of Adams’ top aides, the schools chancellor, David C Banks, and the police commissioner, Edward A Caban. Both Caban and Banks left their positions this month.

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

Adams’ indictment remains sealed, so it’s not known what the charges against him are. Federal prosecutors, the FBI and the city’s Department of Investigation will announce the details on Thursday.

In November, the FBI raided the home of Brianna Suggs, the mayor’s chief fund-raiser, leaving with with two laptop computers, three iPhones and a manila folder labeled “Eric Adams,” The New York Times reported.

Until then, a federal probe focused partially on Adams’ mayoral campaign had been kept secret, the outlet reported. Suggs has not been charged with a crime.

A few days following the raid, FBI agents climbed into Adams’ SUV and took his electronic devices.

It’s not yet known what the charges against the mayor are. On Thursday, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the first member of Congress to call for Adams’ resignation.