New York City Mayor Faces Federal Corruption Charges

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted as a result of a federal corruption investigation, making him the first mayor in the city's history to be indicted during his tenure.

The charges remain classified and it is unclear what they involve, according to a September 25 New York Times report. Adams is expected to stand trial on Sept. 26, when the indictment will be declassified, revealing the full scope of the charges.

In a statement to the New York Post, Adams vowed to fight the charges, saying:

If I am charged, I am innocent and will fight with all my strength and spirit.

He added that he has no intention of resigning, despite calls for him to step down from lawmakers including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The investigation stems from a November 2023 FBI probe in which agents raided the home of Adams’ chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, searching his electronic devices.

The probe focused on alleged illegal donations from the Turkish government in 2021, as well as Adams’ possible involvement in pressuring the New York Fire Department to approve the high consulate for Turkish officials despite safety concerns.

Adams, a vocal advocate for cryptocurrencies, took his first three mayoral salaries in Bitcoin and Ethereum, vowing to make New York “the center of the cryptocurrency industry.”

The accusations come amid broader concerns about Adams’ ties to foreign interests and potential ethics violations during his tenure.