NYC Mayor Adams indicted in federal corruption investigation
His administration is reeling from a series of high-level resignations amid at least four federal probes.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is expected to face federal charges by prosecutors out of the Southern District of New York as soon as tomorrow, two sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday night. The Adams administration is reeling from a series of high-level resignations amid at least four federal probes. Adams has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. One of the investigations is believed to be focused on whether Adams’ mayoral campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources. As part of that probe, the FBI last year searched a home in Brooklyn belonging to Adams’ chief fundraiser.
Earlier this month, the FBI raided the homes of several top Adams administration officials including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban, and Schools Chancellor David Banks. Authorities also seized electronic devices belonging to Adams’ adviser Timothy Pearson, and issued a slew of subpoenas to other members of his administration. The raids were not connected to a single investigation. Caban resigned from his post shortly after having his devices seized, as authorities probed allegations that his twin brother, James Caban, had been exploiting his connections to the police commissioner in service of his nightlife business ventures.
The indictment was first reported by The New York Times. The U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment.
“I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became,” Adams said in a statement. “If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
The indictment marks a stunning fall for Adams, a Democrat and former police captain who won election nearly three years ago to become the second Black mayor of the nation’s largest city on a platform that promised a law-and-order approach to reducing crime.