NEW YORK (TND) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted Thursday on five federal charges for allegedly accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources.
According to the indictment, the charges stem from a long-running investigation into the company’s dealings with foreign governments, including Turkey.
Adams spoke at a press conference shortly after the charges were announced, denying the allegations.
“I look forward to protecting myself and protecting the people of this city, as I have done throughout my professional life,” the embattled mayor said.
Before he could finish the meeting, people started shouting at him, urging him to retire. Mr. Adams refused to resign.
The 57-page indictment details the following charges:
Telecommunications fraud, program bribery conspiracy Receipt of campaign funds from foreigners Telecommunications fraud 2 cases of solicitation of donations from foreigners Bribery
Damin Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in the indictment that Adams received “luxurious overseas travel from wealthy foreign businessmen and at least one Turkish government official seeking to increase their influence over him.” “He solicited and received inappropriate valuable benefits, such as:” He has been active for about 10 years, starting when he was mayor of Brooklyn.
The indictment says Adams “amplified the profits” of his illegal donations by taking advantage of the city’s matching funds program, which provides generous matches for small donations. The indictment says his campaign received more than $10,000 in matching funds as a result of the false certifications.
“As the indictment alleges, Mayor Adams engaged in a long-running conspiracy to solicit and knowingly receive illegal campaign contributions from foreign donors and corporations,” Williams said at a separate news conference Thursday. said.
“Year after year, he kept the nation in the dark,” Williams added. “He told the public that he had been secretly given gifts but had not received any.”
Williams went on to say that Adams also intervened in the FDNY inspection process, even though the building, owned and operated by the Turkish government, failed inspection.
Earlier Thursday, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation visited Adams’ home. There they seized his cell phone hours before the charges were announced.
FBI Deputy Director James Dennehy said the indictment is “a stark reminder that no one is above the law or above reproach.” He added that this is “sobering” for everyone who trusts their elected representatives.
“Today’s indictment sends a message to every elected official in this country: Public service is a grave responsibility and should be a noble calling. When it is distorted by greed and fraud, private It is a pact between leaders and their communities that is built on the pillars of trust, accountability, and transparency, and when that pact is broken, the consequences are for one administration or another. It has ramifications far beyond one election cycle. ”
Adams, 64, is a former police officer who worked for the New York City Transit Police and then the New York City Police Department for more than 20 years. He continues to maintain his innocence and said he intends to fight the charges.
“I will fight these injustices with all my heart and soul,” he said in a video statement Wednesday night.
Mr. Adams is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.
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Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
