New York City Mayor Eric Adams is scheduled for arraignment at a federal courthouse on Friday, where he will face five criminal charges, including bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations.
The indictment, made public Thursday, accuses Adams of accepting illegal campaign contributions and over $100,000 in luxury travel perks from Turkish businessmen and officials seeking to gain favor with him.
Adams, 64, a former police officer, has held the mayoral office for nearly three years after campaigning on a tough-on-crime platform. He has denied any wrongdoing and dismissed calls for his resignation.
During the arraignment, which will occur at noon local time before Magistrate Judge Katherine Parker, Adams will hear the formal charges against him and will be asked to enter a plea. “I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before making any judgments,” he stated at a press conference on Thursday, maintaining his adherence to federal law regarding campaign activities. The press conference was met with criticism from local residents, some labeling him a “disgrace” and demanding “justice.”
If found guilty, Adams could face a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the authority to remove the mayor, expressed that she is reviewing the indictment carefully to ensure the constituents of New York City receive the necessary governance.
The 57-page indictment details a decade-long alleged bribery scheme that began during Adams’ tenure as Brooklyn borough president and reportedly continued after he assumed the mayoralty. It outlines extravagant international travel and communications between Adams’ staff and airline managers about his travel expenses.
Prosecutors allege Adams fostered relationships with foreign nationals to raise illegal campaign funds for his 2021 election. They further claim that he utilized straw donors to circumvent campaign finance laws and misappropriated funds meant for small-dollar contributions from New York residents.
In addition to the serious legal challenges, several Democratic leaders have called for Adams’ resignation. However, some, like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, emphasized the importance of due process.
As scrutiny intensifies, the FBI previously raided the home of Adams’ chief fundraiser as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal campaign contributions. Recent weeks have seen the resignations of several top officials in his administration, amid growing calls for accountability.
With some of the lowest approval ratings in New York City’s history, Adams is facing a challenging re-election campaign, with a crowded field of primary challengers potentially poised to take advantage of his political troubles. If he resigns or is removed, the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, would likely succeed him.
