NYC Mayor Eric Adams charged with fraud, accepting $10 million in improper campaign contributions
NEW YORK -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been charged with five counts connected to improper campaign contributions, according to a sweeping indictment unsealed Thursday morning.
"ERIC ADAMS, the defendant, sought and accepted illegal campaign contributions in the form of 'nominee' or 'straw' contributions, meaning that the true contributors conveyed their money through nominal donors, who falsely certified they were contributing their own money," the indictment states.
"As a result of those false certifications, ADAMS's 2021 mayoral campaign received more than $10,000,000 in public funds," the indictment alleges.
Adams faces one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy, two counts of solicitation of a contribution from a foreign national and one count of bribery, according to the indictment, charges that expose the mayor to significant prison time if convicted.
MORE | Read the full indictment:
Adams addressed the press shortly after the indictment was unsealed, maintaining his innocence and vowing to fight the charges.
"I ask New Yorkers to hear our defense before making any judgments," he said at the news conference, which was interrupted by some hecklers.
Adams vowed to continue to serve his duties.
"My day to day will not change," he said.
Adams spoke surrounded by supporters and later took questions from the press.
"Everyone who knows me knows I follow campaign rules and I follow the law," he said.
Adams' lawyer, Alex Spiro, said in a statement: "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."
He continued, "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."
Adams is the first sitting New York City mayor to ever face charges.
Many of the accusations relate to Adams' relationship with wealthy foreign businesspeople and Turkish officials.
The alleged conduct predates Adams' time as mayor, when he served as Brooklyn borough president, up through his campaign for mayor and during his time in office.
Federal agents seized the mayor's phone Thursday morning, Spiro told ABC News.
"He has not been arrested and looks forward to his day in court," Spiro said, "They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have happily turned it in."
Adams called the accusations "entirely false" in a taped speech addressed to New Yorkers on Wednesday night and said he would fight the indictment with "every ounce of my strength and my spirit." He also said he would not resign as mayor.
"I always knew that If I stood my ground for all of you that I would be a target -- and a target I became," Adams said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
