(NewsNation) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a federal grand jury, with allegations that he took bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources.
An indictment unsealed by prosecutors Thursday morning says 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. According to the indictment, Adams’ campaign received more than $10,000 in matching funds as a result of the false certifications, according to the indictment.
In addition, the indictment accuses Adams of soliciting and demanding bribes, including free and heavily discounted luxury travel benefits from a Turkish official.
“The mayor had a duty to disclose these gifts on his annual public disclosure forms, so that the public could see who was giving him what,” U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York Damian Williams said. “But as we allege year after year after year, he kept the public in the dark.”
At a press conference Thursday shortly after charges against him were revealed, Adams said he is not resigning as mayor.
“From here my attorneys will take care of the case so I can take care of the city,” Adams said, adding his “day-to-day will not change.” “…I ask New York to just wait to hear our defense before making any judgments.”
Adams and his staff have devices seized
Nov. 2, 2023
The investigation into Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign fundraising became widely known in November 2023. That’s when FBI agents searched the home of Brianna Suggs, who was a fundraiser for Adams during his 2021 campaign, and Rana Abbasova, who worked in the mayor’s international affairs office.
Nov. 6, 2023
Four days later, FBI agents seized phones and an iPad from Adams as he was leaving a public event in Manhattan.
“The mayor immediately complied with the FBI’s request and provided them with electronic devices,” lawyer Boyd Johnson’s statement said. “The mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing and continues to cooperate with the investigation.”
Feb. 29, 2024
Federal agents raided two homes owned by Winnie Greco, Adams’ director of Asian affairs.
It is unclear if the raid was connected to Adams. The search of the properties came months after Adams associates’ homes were searched as part of a federal corruption probe centered on the mayor’s 2021 election campaign, which allegedly conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal foreign donations.
Following the raid, Greco was put on leave.
July 2024
Adams received his own subpoena from federal prosecutors seeking information from him, his campaign, and City Hall.
Those subpoenas requested information about the mayor’s schedule, his overseas travel and potential connections to the Turkish government, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigations.
Sept. 4, 2024
Federal agents on took devices from Adams’ police commissioner, his schools chancellor, two deputy mayors and several other advisers.
None of the officials involved have been charged with a crime, but the wave of searches added to a cloud of suspicion around Adams.
They also raised questions internally about the administration’s ability to stay focused on serving the nation’s largest city.
NYPD Commissioner resigns
Sept. 12, 2024
New York Police Department Commissioner Edward Caban resigned amid a federal investigation involving alleged corruption, according to Mayor Eric Adams.
Caban said he decided to resign after the “news around recent developments” had “created a distraction for our department,” according to an email to the police department obtained by The Associated Press.
“I am unwilling to let my attention be on anything other than our important work, or the safety of the men and women of the NYPD,” he added.
NYC chief counsel leaves position
Sept. 14, 2024
City Hall announced Lisa Zornberg’s abrupt departure.
She had advised Adams and other city officials on legal strategy for over a year and often parried legal questions from the media on his behalf. She was not his personal lawyer.
“It has been a great honor to serve the City. I am tendering my resignation, effective today, as I have concluded that I can no longer effectively serve in my position. I wish you nothing but the best,” Zornberg wrote in a three-sentence resignation letter to Adams.
Officials did not seize her phone, the AP reported.
2 NYC Fire Department chiefs arrested
Sept. 16, 2024
Two former New York City Fire Department chiefs were in custody Monday on charges that they solicited tens of thousands of dollars in bribes before ensuring the department’s fire-safety division gave preferential treatment to some individuals and companies.
Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco were arrested on bribery, corruption and false statements charges alleging that they solicited and accepted the bribe payments from at least 2021 through 2023, authorities said.
City’s migrant coordinator subpoenaed
Sept. 20, 2024
Federal prosecutors subpoenaed the director of the city’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations to testify before a grand jury.
Molly Schaeffer, who coordinates the city’s efforts to get housing and social services for newly arrived migrants, received the subpoena at her Brooklyn home in September, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the subpoena.
The authorities did not seize Schaeffer’s electronic devices — as they had done to several other Adams’ aides in recent weeks — but served her a subpoena requesting her presence in front of a federal grand jury in Manhattan, the person said.
Adams indicted by grand jury
Sept. 25, 2024
A grand jury indicted Adams on bribery charges.
In a statement to NewsNation on Wednesday night, Adams maintained his innocence. “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.
Officials speak on Adams’ indictment
Sept. 25, 2024
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called on Adams to resign, the first nationally prominent Democrat to do so. She cited the federal criminal investigations into the mayor’s administration and the string of unexpected departures of top city officials.
“I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on the social platform X.
Adams reacted with scorn, dismissing Ocasio-Cortez as self-righteous.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, called the indictment a “serious and sober moment” for New York City.
“Like every other New Yorker and American, Eric Adams is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” Jeffries said. “A jury of the Mayor’s peers will now evaluate the charges in the indictment and ultimately render a determination. In the meantime, I pray for the well-being of our great city.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
