New York City Mayor Eric Adams has entered a not guilty plea to five criminal charges, including bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign contributions.
Dressed in a dark blue suit, Adams appeared in a federal courtroom in New York for a brief hearing. “I am not guilty, your honor,” he asserted to Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker, maintaining a serious demeanor as reporters observed.
The 64-year-old mayor was indicted this week on accusations of accepting unlawful campaign funds and luxurious travel perks from Turkish businessmen and an official, purportedly in exchange for his influence as mayor.
Adams has firmly denied any allegations of wrongdoing, urging the public to suspend judgment until he presents his defense. “I follow the rules, I follow federal law, and I do not engage in illegal campaign activities,” he stated at a recent news conference.
Upon his arrival at court on Friday morning, Adams acknowledged reporters with a thumbs-up. He has been released on bail, but Judge Parker has mandated that Adams refrain from discussing the facts of the case with any witnesses, with the exception of personal or business matters.
His attorney announced that a motion to dismiss the charges will be filed next week. “The entire body of evidence is based on one staffer,” he claimed, asserting that this individual has provided false testimony.
If found guilty, Adams could face a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison. Despite facing increasing pressure from within his own party to resign, he has vowed to remain in office.
The former police officer was elected nearly three years ago, promising to take a strong stance against crime. Prosecutors allege that his alleged misconduct dates back to 2014, continuing through his campaign for mayor and into his time in office.
According to the 57-page indictment, Adams is accused of pressuring New York City Fire Department officials to approve a Turkish consulate building without a safety inspection in exchange for perks such as discounted travel and fine dining. Additionally, he is alleged to have misappropriated $10 million in public funds.
Adams allegedly utilized a scheme involving straw donors to circumvent campaign finance limitations, collecting illegal foreign contributions and pairing them with city funds intended for small-dollar donations.
The mayor’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 2nd. Adams has insisted on remaining in office as the legal proceedings unfold, even as calls for his resignation grow louder from various Democratic leaders.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has authority to remove Adams, but she has indicated that she needs time to thoroughly review the indictment. Additionally, an “inability committee,” comprising city officials who oppose him, could also initiate his removal from office.
Adams’ arraignment highlights ongoing federal investigations into his administration, following a wave of resignations among top officials, including the police commissioner, health commissioner, and the mayor’s chief counsel, alongside schools chancellor David Banks, whose phone has reportedly been seized.
