NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal charges, including bribery, wire fraud and soliciting a contribution by a foreign national.
Flanked by supporters, Adams publicly addressed the charges during a contentious press conference outside Gracie Mansion.
“We are not surprised, we expected this. This is not surprising to us at all. The actions that have unfolded over the last 10 months – the leaks, the commentary, the demonizing – this did not surprise us that we reached this day,” Adams said. “I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before making any judgements.”
The newly unsealed indictment alleges the mayor accepted illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources. It stems from several investigations swirling around the mayor and members of his administration, including an expanded probe into his dealings with several foreign governments.
Adams is now the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to be indicted on federal charges. Spectators repeatedly interrupted his press conference, demanding he resign.
“My day to day will not change. I will continue to do the job for 8.3 million New Yorkers that I was elected to do,” the mayor said. “And the 300,000+ employees of our city government will continue to do their jobs, because this is what we do as New Yorkers.”
Sources tell CBS News he could appear in court to face the charges as soon as Thursday. Federal agents were seen outside Gracie Mansion earlier in the morning, and the mayor’s attorney said they seized Adams’ phones.
“We have known for some time that they would try to find a way to bring a case against Mayor Adams. Yesterday — more improper leaks. Today — they emailed us a summons (and created the spectacle of a bogus raid). And very soon they will no doubt hold an hour-long dog-and-pony show presser rather than appear in open court,” the mayor’s attorney, Alex Spiro, said in a statement. “Federal judges call them out all the time for spinning in front of the cameras and tainting jurors. But they keep doing it because they can’t help themselves, the spotlight is just too exciting. We will see them in court.”
Growing calls for Adams to resign
Since news of the indictment broke, there has been an avalanche of calls for the mayor to resign. Many of the voices are coming from members of his own political party, including those planning to run against him in next year’s Democratic primary.
Brad Lander, the current city comptroller who is running for mayor, said in part that Adams deserves due process, “however it is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges requires a significant amount of time and attention… The most appropriate path forward is for him to step down.”
Several New York City councilmembers, including Robert Holden, Tiffany Caban and Sandy Nurse, released similar statements, expressing doubt Adams can still run the city. Tiffany Caban, who called on the mayor to resign a week ago, wrote, “he is unable to effectively lead and govern. While he awaits his right to due process, he must resign.”
The mayor released a taped video message Wednesday night, saying in part, “My fellow New Yorkers, it is now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes. If so, these charges will be entirely false, based on lies, but they would not be surprising. I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a target, and a target I became for months, leaks and rumors have been aimed at me in an attempt to undermine my credibility and paint me as guilty.”
Earlier this week, Adams was asked if he was going to resign. He rejected the idea outright and said he was looking forward to running for reelection.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul does have the ability to remove Adams from office. CBS News New York’s Political Reporter Marcia Kramer says there will be pressure on the governor to do so, because the mayor has many positions to fill due to the recent resignations, and he may have a hard time filling them under the circumstances.
A spokesperson for the governor said Wednesday night she is aware of the reports and monitoring the situation, though it would be “premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement.”
If Adams were to resign or be removed by the governor, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would take over on an interim basis. He would have three days to call for a special election, which would have to be held within 80 days.
What did Eric Adams do? Here’s what investigators are looking into
Federal authorities have been scrutinizing donations to Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign from people connected to the Turkish government. Sources say a new round of subpoenas delivered to Adams’ lawyers in July sought information related to his dealings with Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea and Uzbekistan.
Other federal investigations include former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, who since resigned, as well as Deputy Mayor Philip Banks III, his brother Schools Chancellor David Banks, and David’s partner, Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
The schools chancellor announced earlier this week he will retire at the end of the year, but he insists he previously told Adams about his retirement prior to the investigations.
Banks and Adams appeared together Wednesday to announce the new schools chancellor, Melissa Aviles-Ramos.
Here’s a closer look at what we know about who’s who in the various investigations.
contributed to this report.
