NYC Mayor Eric Adams charged with selling his influence to foreign nationals

NEW YORK CITY – New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted by a grand jury on federal criminal charges alleging that he took bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources. Here’s everything we know as we track live updates:

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has released a statement on the indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

“This is an extraordinarily difficult day for New York City,” Hochul said. “I have carefully reviewed the indictment released by the United States Department of Justice. This indictment is the latest in a disturbing pattern of events that has, understandably, contributed to a sense of unease among many New Yorkers.”

Hochul reiterated that Adams was presumed innocent until proven guilty, but said that “New Yorkers deserve to know that their municipal government is working effectively, ethically and in the best interests of the people.”

“It’s now up to Mayor Adams to show the City that he is able to lead in that matter,” Hochul said. “While I review my options and obligations as the Governor of New York, I expect the Mayor to take the next few days to review the situation and find an appropriate path forward to ensure the people of New York City are being well-served by their leaders.”

8:51 p.m., Jacob Flanagan

Adams is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow at noon. He will appear in federal court before Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker, according to reports.

An initial conference is scheduled for Oct. 4, according to a letter from Judge Dale Ho.

– 4:45 p.m., Alex Meier

Adams and lawyer speak to media

Adams appeared in front of news cameras again Thursday — this time with his attorney, Alex Spiro.

“This is not a real case,” Spiro told the press as he rebuked claims made in the indictment.

He also said he “hopes to see everyone in court tomorrow.”

– 3:20, Alex Meier

Senate Majority Leader Schumer calls charges ‘serious’

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer joined the chorus of New York politicians reacting to Adams’ indictment:

 “No one is above the law, including the Mayor of New York City. The charges are serious, and the legal process should now play out speedily and fairly.” 

-3:10 p.m., Alex Meier

In a letter to the Southern District of New York obtained by FOX 5 NY, Adams’ lawyer Alex Shapiro asked the judge for the arraignment to be scheduled on Friday or Monday.

“No one is above the law, including the Mayor of New York City. The charges are serious, and the legal process should now play out speedily and fairly.

The letter did not specify the reason behind the request.

– 3:00 p.m., Alex Meier

Adams is accused of, among other allegations:

• Raking in more than $10,000 from illegal contributions by using false certifications to game the city’s matching funds program, which provides a generous match for small dollar donations.
• Working with a Turkish senior official who “facilitated many straw donations” to Adams and arranged for Adams and his companions to receive free or discounted travel on Turkey’s national airline to destinations including France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, and Turkey.

• “Solicit[ing] and demand[ing]” bribes, including free and heavily discounted luxury travel benefits from a Turkish official. who was seeking Adams’ help pertaining to regulations of the Turkish consulate in Manhattan.

– 1:10 p.m., Alex Meier

Jumaane Williams reacts to indictment

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who would take over as mayor if Eric Adams were to resign, released a statement on Adams’ indictment: “I feel the same disbelief and indignation that I know many New Yorkers feel, upset that this is where our city is in this moment. This is a painful time, and the looming unknowns and uncertainties only add to the confusion and chaos at City Hall in an untenable situation”

– 12:48 p.m. Adeja Shivonne

Hochul says she’s seen the indictment, will address the details

Gov. Kathy Hochul says that she has looked over the indictment and that she will address the substance of the indictment. “This is a very serious matter that is unfolding,” Hochul said.

– 12:40 p.m. Adeja Shivonne
 

Feds say they will hold others accountable

In the Thursday morning press conference, NYC Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber said her office would seek to hold others accountable in the Adams investigation “no matter their role or title.”

– 11:55 a.m. Adeja Shivonne

Press conference on Adams’ indictment

Adams had a duty to disclose gifts he received, but year after year “kept the public in the dark,” Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said after corruption charges against Adams were made public.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan alleges in the indictment that Adams “compounded his gains” from the illegal contributions by gaming the city’s matching funds program, which provides a generous match for small dollar donations.

FBI agents entered the mayor’s official residence and seized his phone early Thursday, hours before the indictment was made public. 

-11:30 a.m., Michael Stallone

Adams, met by hecklers, says he’ll stay on the job

In a press conference held on Thursday morning with his allies, Adams proclaimed his innocence and said he would stay on the job.

“You reported there was an indictment before my attorney knew there was an indictment,” he said.

The mayor was met by hecklers with bullhorns who were loudly booing and drowning out the microphones.

“Your policies are anti-Black. You are a disgrace to all Black people in this city,” a demonstrator with a megaphone yelled before Adams spoke.”You hurt our schools. Our streets are dirty. Our children are [harassed] by the police,” he continued.

“I follow the rules, I follow the law,” Adams said.

– 11:15 Michael Stallone

Eric Adams indictment unsealed

NYC Mayor Eric Adams is accused of accepting illegal campaign donations among other charges in a sweeping indictment unsealed by federal officials Thursday.

Investigators allege that “Adams sought and accepted improper valuable benefits such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him.”

Here are the charges:

• Count 1: Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Federal Program Bribery, and to Receive Campaign Contributions By Foreign Nationals
• Count 2: Wire Fraud
• Count 3: Solicitation of a Contribution by a Foreign National
• Count 4: Solicitation of a Contribution by a Foreign National
• Count 5: Bribery

– 10:50, Michael Stallone

Who’s who in the Adams investigation saga

Click here for a look at whom these aides and officials are, what the investigations are related to, and how this all ties back to Eric Adams.

– 10:40, Alex Meier

Federal agents seize Adams’ phone during search

A lawyer for Adams says federal agents seized the mayor’s phone during a search on Thursday morning at Gracie Mansion.

A statement from Alex Spiro, the lawyer for Adams, reads: “Federal agents appeared this morning at Gracie Mansion in an effort to create a spectacle (again) and take Mayor Adams phone (again). He has not been arrested and looks forward to his day in court. They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have happily turned it in.”

-9:15 a.m., Michael Stallone

Prisoner transport vehicle seen leaving Gracie Mansion

A prisoner transport vehicle was seen leaving Gracie Mansion on Thursday morning.

According to FOX 5 NY’s Robert Moses, the vehicle “has a cage separating the front and back seats.” Moses said he couldn’t see anyone inside.

A black SUV with a federal law enforcement officers’ placard on the dashboard first arrived outside Gracie Mansion early Thursday morning.

Moses said several officers got out and walked up the driveway and into Gracie Mansion.

-8:30 a.m., Michael Stallone and Robert Moses

What we know about the investigation

Federal investigators had seized Adams’ electronic devices nearly a year ago as part of an investigation focused, at least partly, on campaign contributions and Adams’ interactions with the Turkish government.

The indictment was first reported by The New York Times. 

In the last two weeks alone, the leaders he appointed to oversee the country’s largest police force and largest schools system announced their resignations.

Adams is the first mayor in New York City history to be indicted while in office. If he were to resign, he would be replaced by the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, who would then schedule a special election.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office. Hochul spokesperson, Avi Small, issued a statement late Wednesday that said “Governor Hochul is aware of these concerning news reports and is monitoring the situation. It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement.”

The indictment comes against the backdrop of the United Nations General Assembly, which has brought dozens of world leaders to New York, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Tracking the federal investigations

The federal investigations into the Adams administration first emerged publicly on Nov. 2, 2023, when FBI agents conducted an early morning raid on the Brooklyn home of his chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs.

At the time, Adams insisted he followed the law and said he would be “shocked” if anyone on his campaign had acted illegally. Days later, FBI agents seized the mayor’s phones and iPad as he was leaving an event in Manhattan.

Then on Sept. 4, federal investigators seized electronic devices from the city’s police commissioner, schools chancellor, deputy mayor of public safety, first deputy mayor and other trusted confidantes of Adams both in and out of City Hall.

Federal prosecutors declined to discuss the investigations, but people familiar with elements of the cases described multiple, separate inquiries involving senior Adams aides, relatives of those aides, campaign fundraising and possible influence peddling of the police and fire departments.

A week after the searches, the city’s police commissioner, Edward Caban, announced his resignation. About two weeks later, Schools Chancellor David Banks announced he would retire at the end of the year.

Adams himself insisted he would keep doing the city’s business and allow the investigations to run their course.

Over the summer, federal prosecutors subpoenaed Adams, his campaign arm and City Hall, requesting information about the mayor’s schedule, his overseas travel and potential connections to the Turkish government.

When agents seized electronic devices from Caban, the former police commissioner, in early September, they also visited his twin brother, James Caban, a former police officer who runs a nightlife consulting business.

In his speech Wednesday night, Adams appeared to cite that search as proof of overreach by federal investigators.

AOC calls for Mayor Adams to resign

Hours before the charges were announced, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called on Adams to resign, the first nationally prominent Democrat to do so. Adams reacted with scorn, dismissing Ocasio-Cortez as self-righteous.

The Associated Press wire services helped contributed to this report.