New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal charges, according to two anonymous sources. The charges have not been disclosed as the indictment remains under seal. The mayor’s office and the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan have been contacted for comment but have not responded.
In a video statement, Adams addressed reports of his indictment and stated that he believes the federal government intends to charge him with crimes based on lies. He expressed his determination to fight these injustices with all his strength and spirit.
Adams also declared his innocence and suggested that the federal investigation into him, his office, and associates is linked to his criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policies. He claimed that despite pleas for relief from overloaded shelter systems due to broken immigration policies, the federal government did nothing.
Since November of last year, FBI agents have been investigating Adams and his close advisers. While details of the investigation remain undisclosed, it was reported in 2023 that investigators were looking into allegations that Adams’s 2021 mayoral campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal donations from foreign sources.
The mayor’s chief fundraiser had her home searched last November, but at that time Adams expressed confidence in his team’s adherence to the law. However, days later FBI agents seized Adams’s phones and iPad as he was leaving an event in Manhattan.
Since then, top advisers to the mayor have received subpoenas, had their properties searched, and resigned from their positions.
Adams has maintained that he is unaware of any wrongdoing and will continue serving as mayor unless found guilty. Federal investigators recently seized electronic devices belonging to several high-ranking officials within City Hall as part of their ongoing investigations.
Adams spent 22 years in law enforcement before entering politics and has served as a state senator and Brooklyn borough president before being elected mayor in 2021.
