Written by Christian Wade (Center Square)
After a nearly 10-year investigation, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal charges of bribery, fraud, and solicitation of illegal foreign campaign contributions.
The indictment, unsealed Thursday by U.S. Attorney Damien Williams’ office for the Southern District of New York, includes wire fraud, federal program bribery, conspiracy to receive campaign funds from foreign nationals, and It includes five counts of conspiracy to receive funds. wire fraud. Solicitation of donations by foreigners. Solicitation of donations or bribery by foreigners.
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Williams said prosecutors allege in the indictment that Adams solicited and received more than $10 million in illegal “straw” contributions to the 2021 mayoral race, which originated in Turkey. He said he is doing so.
“Mayor Adams knowingly knew that these donations were illegal and that they were an attempt by Turkish government officials and Turkish businessmen to buy his influence. We received these donations regardless,” Mayor Williams said at a press conference Thursday. “The mayor had a duty to disclose these gifts on his annual financial disclosure form so the public could see who gave what.”
Federal prosecutors also allege in the indictment that Mr. Adams has “sought and received unjust and valuable benefits” since at least 2014, when he was then the borough president of Brooklyn. They say Adams also benefited from more than $100,000 in gifts from the Turkish government, including free trips to Turkey, meals and hotel rooms, and then concealed the gifts or pretended he hadn’t paid for them. He said he created a “fake paper trail” to make it look like a fake. they.
In return, as mayor, Adams pressured the New York City Fire Department to open a new Turkish consulate in Manhattan, even though it had not passed fire safety inspections. Prosecutors said FDNY employees were threatened with termination if they did not comply with the mayor’s orders.
“As Adams’ fame and power grows, especially when it becomes clear that he will become mayor of New York City in 2021, his foreign backers look to exploit their corrupt relationships with him to make money. ” prosecutors wrote in 1957. Page indictment. “Adams agreed and offered favorable treatment in exchange for illegal benefits.”
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The indictment, the first ever for a New York mayor, marks a dramatic downfall for the mayor of America’s largest city, once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party.
At a news conference early Thursday morning, Mr. Adams denied any wrongdoing and claimed that federal investigators were demonizing him. He urged New Yorkers not to rush to judgment on his charges.
“I ask New Yorkers to wait until you hear our defense,” Adams said amid jeers calling for his resignation. “Everyone who knows me knows that I follow campaign rules and abide by the law.”
Mr. Adams, 64, was elected to lead the nation’s most populous city nearly three years ago after pledging to reduce crime and lead the city out of the coronavirus pandemic.
But last year, news of a federal investigation emerged after federal authorities searched the home of Adams’ chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, and briefly seized Adams’ electronic devices.
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A series of investigations led to the resignations of New York City Police Commissioner Ed Caban, City Health Commissioner and Superintendent of Schools David Banks, his brother Vice Mayor Phil Banks, and his fiancee Sheena Wright. Among city hall employees, the deputy mayor also had equipment confiscated as part of the investigation.
In recent weeks, calls for Adams to resign have also grown from New York Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D.Y.) and state Sen. John Lieu (D-Queens).
If Adams resigns, Jumaane Williams, New York City’s public defender, will become acting mayor. After that, a special election for a new mayor is expected to be held within 90 days.
Syndicated with permission From the center square.
