New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been charged with five federal counts, including wire fraud, bribery, and conspiracy, in connection with foreign nationals and officials who allegedly sought to influence his political decisions. The indictment, unsealed Thursday, paints a picture of a nearly decade-long scheme in which Adams accepted luxury gifts, including international travel and financial benefits, in exchange for political favors.
The 57-page indictment from the Southern District of New York marks the first time a sitting New York City mayor has faced criminal charges. The accusations against Adams include receiving campaign contributions from foreign nationals, conspiring to commit wire fraud, and accepting bribes from foreign businessmen and at least one Turkish government official. According to the indictment, Adams sought and accepted lavish gifts, such as a heavily discounted stay at the St. Regis Istanbul in 2017. The two-night stay in the Bentley Suite would have cost around $7,000, but Adams paid less than $600 and failed to disclose the trip as required by law.
Federal prosecutors claim that Adams' influence grew over time, making him a prime target for foreign benefactors who wanted to capitalize on their corrupt relationship with him. "As Adams' prominence and power grew, his foreign-national benefactors sought to cash in on their corrupt relationships with him, particularly when, in 2021, it became clear that Adams would become New York City's mayor," the indictment states.
Following the unsealing of the charges, Adams, 63, held a press conference, where he vowed to fight the allegations with "every ounce of my strength and spirit." He described the day as both "unfortunate" and "painful," but expressed confidence that the legal process would exonerate him. "I look forward to defending myself and defending the people of this city," Adams said. His lawyer, celebrity attorney Alex Spiro, accused federal investigators of improper conduct, stating, "We have known for some time that they would try to bring a case against Mayor Adams. Yesterday, more improper leaks. Today, they created the spectacle of a bogus raid."
The charges come amid increasing turmoil within Adams' administration, with several high-profile resignations and retirements in recent weeks. Just days before the indictment, New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban, the city's top lawyer, and the schools chancellor all stepped down. While Adams has not publicly tied the resignations to the ongoing investigations, their departures have further shaken his administration during an already challenging period.
The criminal charges also arrive against the backdrop of four separate federal investigations into Adams' administration, raising questions about his governance. Last November, the FBI seized Adams' phones and iPad as part of an inquiry into his campaign fundraising, focusing on whether his mayoral campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal donations. Earlier this month, federal investigators raided the homes of top officials close to Adams as part of a separate probe, further intensifying scrutiny on the mayor's inner circle.
Calls for Adams to resign have swiftly followed the indictment. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was one of the first prominent voices to call for the mayor's departure, writing on X, "I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City." She cited the growing number of resignations within his administration and the relentless investigations as reasons he should step down. "For the good of the city, he should resign," she concluded. Several other prominent New York City politicians, including City Comptroller Brad Lander and State Senator John Liu, have since echoed Ocasio-Cortez's call.
Despite the mounting pressure, some of New York's most influential political figures have remained silent. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams from office, have yet to publicly weigh in. Hochul's spokesperson described the news as "concerning" but declined to comment further until more details emerge from law enforcement.
As the legal battle begins to unfold, Adams remains defiant, asserting that the charges are politically motivated and "entirely false, based on lies." In a videotaped statement released late Wednesday, he addressed New Yorkers directly, saying, "Make no mistake, you elected me to lead this city, and lead it I will."
The indictment marks a dramatic turn in Adams' political career, which began with his time as an NYPD officer before entering politics. Elected mayor in 2021, Adams rose through the ranks as Brooklyn's borough president and a state senator, often promoting himself as a champion for law enforcement and working-class New Yorkers. Now, as he faces serious criminal charges, his political future-and his ability to govern-hangs in the balance.
