By William K. Rashbaum, Dana Rubinstein, Michael Rothfeld, Edward Wong, and Chelsia Rose Marcius
Sept. 25, 2024
Updated 9:58 p.m. ET
Eric L. Adams, a retired police captain who ascended to the role of New York City’s 110th mayor nearly three years ago with a commitment to tackle crime, has been indicted after a federal corruption investigation, sources familiar with the case revealed on Wednesday.
The specifics of the indictment remain sealed, leaving unclear the exact charges Adams may face. However, the investigation has reportedly scrutinized allegations that he and his campaign collaborated with the Turkish government to secure illegal foreign contributions.
If the indictment is made public, Adams will become the first sitting New York City mayor to face federal charges.
This development is set to send shockwaves throughout the city and beyond, further complicating Adams's already tumultuous administration as he prepares for a competitive mayoral primary in the coming months.
In response to the news, Adams asserted his innocence. "I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers, I would become a target — and a target I became," he stated. "If I am charged, I am innocent, and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit."
Representatives for Adams’s legal team at WilmerHale did not respond to inquiries, and officials from the U.S. Attorney’s office, the F.B.I., and the city’s Department of Investigation declined to comment.
The indictment marks a significant fall from grace for Adams, 64, who previously served as a state senator and Brooklyn borough president. He took office during a time when the city was rebounding from the pandemic and facing a surge of migrants at the southern border.
This investigation, led by the F.B.I. and federal prosecutors in Manhattan, has been ongoing for over two years. It includes inquiries into potential foreign donations and whether Adams pressured Fire Department officials regarding the opening of a new Turkish consulate building, despite existing safety concerns. Investigators are also examining whether he accepted expensive flights and upgrades from Turkish Airlines, which has ties to the Turkish government.
The investigation remained largely under wraps until late last year, when an F.B.I. search of his chief fundraiser’s home brought it into the spotlight. During that search, agents seized electronic devices and documents related to Adams.
Previously, Adams’s trajectory had seemed emblematic of a quintessential New York success story. Raised by a working-class mother in Brooklyn and Queens, he overcame dyslexia and early challenges with law enforcement to join the Police Department. He rose through the ranks over two decades, eventually becoming a captain and advocating for Black officers.
After retiring, Adams pursued his long-held ambition of becoming mayor, appealing to a broad coalition of voters and describing his election as a divinely inspired achievemens
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