BREAKING: Mayor Eric Adams' Shocking Charges Are Revealed After Indictment
Federal prosecutors on Thursday unveiled sweeping charges against New York’s Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, the first criminal indictment against a sitting mayor in the city’s 371-year history.
An indictment unsealed in New York federal court alleged that Adams concocted myriad schemes to provide his mayoral campaign a financial windfall, propelling him above the field in 2021 and putting him in the corner office. Elected on a promise to stamp out street crime, the irony that Adams himself now faces prison time is rich. The AP reported on damning details contained in the indictment alleging that Adams “solicited and demanded” bribes, including luxury items and free air travel from Turkish government representatives in exchange for lobbying the New York Fire Department to approve a new Turkish embassy in midtown despite safety concerns.
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The grand jury indictment also shows how Adams allegedly sought to “compound” his illegal foreign political donations by providing receipts to the city’s public funds matching program. Under state law, taxpayer dollars may be awarded to mayoral candidates who demonstrate prowess with small-dollar donations. His campaign ultimately received more than $10,000 in public funds.
Hours before the indictment was made public, FBI agents entered the mayor’s residence early Thursday morning and seized his phone, the second time in a year that federal authorities have confiscated his electronic devices. In a public demonstration of power, FBI agents last year intercepted Adams as he was leaving an event, asking his protective detail to step inside as agents entered his vehicle and took his phone. The incident, as well as an FBI raid on the home of his chief campaign fundraiser earlier in the year, kicked off speculation that Adams was under criminal investigation.
Prosecutors also say that Adams sought to exploit relationships with foreign agents long before entering the mayor’s office. As Brooklyn’s borough president, Adams, a former police officer, was accepting free flights and upgrades on Turkish Airlines, stays in luxury hotel suites, and other amenities including personal car valets and drivers, a boat tour, and even a Turkish bath at a seaside hotel while being served high-end restaurant meals. His expensive tastes carried on after he became mayor in 2021.
However, Adams allegedly began taking steps to cover up his relationships with Turkish officials, prosecutors add in the indictment. While discussing his Turkish benefits with an aide in 2019, the individual texted Adams back, “To be o(n the) safe side Please Delete all messages you send me,” the AP added. According to prosecutors, Adams texted back, “Always do.”
