New York’s mayor has reportedly been indicted amid federal criminal investigations into his administration.
Eric Adams is expected to be formally charged later today, although it is currently unclear what charge or charges he is facing as the indictment remains sealed.
Two people familiar with the matter confirmed the indictment to the AP news agency, backing up a report by The New York Times.
It will make Mr Adams the first of the city’s 110 mayors to be criminally charged while in office.
The indictment comes as the FBI investigates the running of America’s biggest city and a string of unexpected departures of top officials.
Early this month, agents seized devices from top members of the Adams administration as part of what appears to be multiple, separate investigations.
Among the devices taken were those of New York police commissioner Edward Caban – who resigned shortly after – and his twin brother.
Agents also seized devices from the head of New York City‘s public schools system, David Banks, who announced on Tuesday he planned to retire by the end of the year.
The mayor’s top legal adviser, Lisa Zornberg, who had defended him at news conferences, also resigned this month, saying in a brief letter: “I can no longer effectively serve in my position.”
Mr Adams himself had his phones seized by the FBI in November.
In a video statement on Wednesday, he insisted he was innocent.
“I always knew that If I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a target – and a target I became,” the mayor said.
“For months, leaks and rumors have been aimed at me in an attempt to undermine my credibility and paint me as guilty.”
Mr Adams, 64, vowed to stay in the job and “fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit”.
The mayor’s top legal adviser, Lisa Zornberg, also resigned this month. Pic: Reuters
The Democrat and former police captain was elected nearly three years ago to become New York’s second black mayor.
He spent 22 years with the city’s police before going into politics, first as a state senator and then as Brooklyn borough president.
But for much of the last year, Mr Adams has faced growing legal peril, with investigations into top advisers producing multiple subpoenas, searches and high-level departures.
The mayor has promised to stay in the job while he fights the allegations. Pic: AP
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Prosecutors also subpoenaed the mayor, his campaign arm and City Hall over the summer to request information on his schedule, overseas travel and potential connections to the Turkish government.
In recent days, several senior Democrats have called for Mr Adams to step down.
The mayor has repeatedly said he wasn’t aware of any wrongdoing and previously dismissed speculation he would face charges as “rumours and innuendo”.
New York state governor Kathy Hochul could remove Mr Adams but her office has so far not commented on the indictment.
Source Agencies
