New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on at least one federal criminal charge, multiple sources familiar with the matter tell CNN.
The New York Times was first to report the news of the indictment.
The indictment follows a monthslong federal investigation by the US attorney’s office in Manhattan, which was reportedly scrutinizing his connection to Turkish officials and businessmen, and campaign donations he received. The charges he is facing are not publicly known at this time.
Adams has previously denied any wrongdoing, and he has frequently repeated that he told members of his campaign and administration to follow the law.
“I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target – and a target I became. If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit,” Adams said, responding to the news on Wednesday night.
The mayor is expected to have several days to turn himself in, according to sources familiar with the case. He’s not expected to appear in court Thursday. Prosecutors previously informed his attorneys that if charged, he would be summoned to surrender at a future date, multiple sources told CNN.
Adams was at Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence, when word of the indictment broke. He’s said to be undeterred and resolute in his demeanor, according to a source familiar with the situation Wednesday night.
Adams had not been formally informed of the indictment when the news broke Wednesday night, multiple sources told CNN.
The indictment is a dramatic fall from grace for the mayor of America’s largest city and a stunning accusation against one of the nation’s most high-profile offices.
Adams, a former NYPD captain, took office in January 2022 and presented himself as the new face of the Democratic Party, promising a tough-on-crime approach and a commitment to revitalizing the city after the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet he has struggled to resolve the city’s key challenges, such as the migrant crisis and concerns about subway safety, and has faced criticism for his late-night partying and clashes over city spending, particularly on education.
Now, nearly three years into his first term, Adams is facing at least one federal charge that jeopardizes his ability to remain in office and threaten the future of his political career.
When asked on Tuesday if he was considering resigning, Adams said, “I’m stepping up, not stepping down.”
CNN
