'Not surprised': New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces five charges of fraud and bribery
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said he is "not surprised" after being indicted on five charges of bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and seeking campaign contributions from foreign nationals.
The indictment accuses Adams of illegal actions dating back to 2014 when he was the city's Brooklyn Borough President.
Speaking to reporters, Adams said: "I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defence before making any judgments."
The US attorney's office in Manhattan claims Adams "actively sought and accepted illegal campaign donations" for his mayoral campaign.
“For nearly a decade, Adams sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him,” the indictment read.
It added that a senior Turkish diplomat “facilitated many straw donations” to Adams.
Additionally, the indictment claims the person arranged for Adams and his companions to receive free or discounted travel on Turkey’s national airline to destinations including, France, China, Sri Lanka, India and Hungary.
Adams "compounded his gains" from the illegal donations by exploiting the city's matching funds programme, which provides a generous match for small donations, the indictment said.
It's claimed his campaign gained over $10,000 (£7,455) in matching funds through the false certifications.
Prosecutors allege Adams created fake records and instructed others to do the same, to show he had paid for free travel.
He also deleted messages with others involved, telling a co-conspirator at one point that he "always" deleted her texts, according to the indictment.
In a speech recorded at his official residence, Adams added that he would remain in office, describing any charges he may face as “entirely false, based on lies.”
“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. "I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit."
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The case detailing the charges against the Democratic politician is sealed, so it is not clear what laws Adams is accused of breaking or when he might have to appear in court.
Adams, a former police captain, was elected to mayor of New York three years ago and at the time stressed his commitment to public safety.
But as Adams has made reducing crime a cornerstone of his administration, he has faced growing legal peril, with multiple federal investigations honing in on his top aides and his own campaign.
In the past two weeks, the leaders he appointed to oversee the country's largest police force and largest school system have announced their resignations.
If he were to resign, he would be replaced by the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, who would then schedule a special election.
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