New York City mayor vows to fight ‘entirely false’ federal charges – MASHAHER

New York City mayor Eric Adams has been criminally indicted on federal charges, according to people familiar with the matter.

The indictment detailing the charges against Adams, a Democrat, was expected to be unsealed today, the New York Times reported.

Adams is the first sitting New York City mayor in history to face a criminal indictment. For months, the mayor and those close to him, including employees, have been facing subpoenas, raids and allegations of wrongdoing.

In a speech recorded at his official residence, Adams said he would remain in office, describing any charges he may face as “entirely false, based on lies”.

It was not immediately clear what laws Adams was accused of breaking or when he might have to appear in court.

However, it is thought the Turkish government may have illegally put money into Adams’ mayoral campaign in exchange for him approving a Turkish consulate in Manhattan. The City reported Adams is likely to be charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent for taking actions in his official capacity after receiving donations from foreign sources.

Calls for Mr Adams to resign have begun.

Key Points

• Eric Adams, mayor of New York City, indicted on federal charges

• Mayor Adams denies ‘entirely false’ charges

• Charges may deal with Adams’ mayoral campaign

• Who could replace Adams if he resigns?

Former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio says he has two reactions on Adams’ indictment

08:00 , Michelle Del Rey

“One is, of course, shock and concern for our city. And then another is a very strong reminder that innocent until proven guilty is the American way,” he said.

“I went through an experience with a Southern District where I saw a lot of things that did not come true despite allegations. I do think we have to be really careful here. We haven’t seen anything specific.”

In 2021, the Department of Investigation accused de Blasio of misusing NYPD resources for “political purposes” during his failed presidential bid. He was ultimately charged with a $475,000 fine.

Ocasio-Cortez says Mayor Adams should resign

07:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Member of congress Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has called on New York City mayor Eric Adams to resign, the first nationally prominent Democrat to do so amid escalating federal criminal investigations into the mayor’s administration.

Her calls for his resignation came hours before it was revealed that Adams had been criminally indicted on federal charges.

“I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City,” Ms Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X.

“The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration,” she added.

“For the good of the city, he should resign.”

Mayor Adams denies ‘entirely false’ charges

07:20 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

New York City mayor Eric Adams said he would remain in office and described 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,” he said.

“I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit.”

It was not immediately clear what laws Adams is accused of breaking or when he might have to appear in court.

Federal agents seized mayor Adams’s electronic devices

07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

In November 2023, federal agents seized New York City mayor Eric Adams’ electronic devices as part of an ongoing probe into allegations of corruption related to campaign finance wrongdoings.

Adams allegedly benefitted from a straw donor scheme during his 2021 mayoral campaign through his ties to Turkish government officials and Turkish nationals, according to reports.

The New York City mayor has been vocal about his longstanding relationship with Turkey and the Turkish-American community of New York. He previously boasted that he’s made at least six trips to Turkey.

Reports circulated that Adams received campaign donations from employees of a Brooklyn-based construction company owned by a Turkish-American businessman.

The City reveals one of Adams’ charges

07:00 , Michelle Del Rey

The mayor will be facing a charge of acting as an unregistered foreign agent for taking actions in his official capacity after receiving donations from foreign sources. More details will be released on Thursday.

Governor Kathy Hochul issues statement on Adams’s indictment

06:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove mayor Eric Adams from office, has issued a statement following the Democrat’s indictment on criminal charges.

Avi Small, a spokesperson for the governor, said: “Governor Hochul is aware of these concerning news reports and is monitoring the situation.”

“It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement.”

Who could replace Adams if he resigns?

06:23 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

New York City mayor Eric Adams’s indictment by a grand jury on federal criminal charges has sparked calls for the Democrat’s resignation.

The indictment marks a stunning turn for Adams, a former police captain who won election nearly three years ago to become the second Black mayor of the nation’s largest city. It comes after weeks of searches, subpoenas and resignations of top officials that have pushed the city’s administration into a crisis.

Adams is the first mayor in New York City history to be indicted while in office. If he were to resign, he would be replaced by the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, who would then schedule a special election.

Eric Adams, mayor of New York City, indicted on federal charges

06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was criminally indicted on Wednesday on federal charges, according to people familiar with the matter.

For months the mayor and those close to him, including employees, have been facing subpoenas, raids and allegations of wrongdoing.

In November 2023, federal agents seized Adams’ electronic devices as part of an ongoing probe into allegations of corruption related to campaign finance wrongdoings.

According to reports, Adams allegedly benefitted from a straw donor scheme during his 2021 mayoral campaign through his ties to Turkish government officials and Turkish nationals.

Ariana Baio has more:

Eric Adams, mayor of New York City, indicted on federal charges

White House pool reporter says President Joe Biden, Adams together before indictment

04:38 , Michelle Del Rey

According to a White House pool report written by a reporter at The Guardian, Biden and Adams were together shortly before the indictment was revealed.

The men met at a reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby and Chef Jose Andres were there as well.

The City reports one of Adams charges

04:31 , Michelle Del Rey

Sources tell the New York City outlet that Adams could be charged as an unregistered foreign agent for taking actions in his official capacity after receiving donations from foreign sources.

A dozen members who served in New York State Senate 2009 session will now have arrest records

03:55 , Michelle Del Rey

Politico is reporting.

During that year’s session, senate republicans replaced Democrat Malcolm Smith as Majority Leader after two dissident Democrats switched sides, handing control to the Republicans. Adams served in the Senate from 2006 to 2013 representing Brooklyn.

Investigation into Adams’ office escalated earlier this month

03:34 , Michelle Del Rey

Federal officials seized the phones from numerous city officials, including one of Adams’ top aides, the schools chancellor, David C Banks, and the police commissioner, Edward A Caban. Both Caban and Banks left their positions this month.

Mayor Adams responds

03:20 , Michelle Del Rey

“I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target—and a target I became,” Adams has said. “If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”

Details to be announced on Thursday

03:10 , Michelle Del Rey

Adams’ indictment remains sealed, so it’s not known what the charges against him are. Federal prosecutors, the FBI and the city’s Department of Investigation will announce the details on Thursday.

Charges may deal with Adams’ mayoral campaign

02:45 , Michelle Del Rey

In November, the FBI raided the home of Brianna Suggs, the mayor’s chief fund-raiser, leaving with with two laptop computers, three iPhones and a manila folder labeled “Eric Adams,” The New York Times reported.

Until then, a federal probe focused partially on Adams’ mayoral campaign had been kept secret, the outlet reported. Suggs has not been charged with a crime.

A few days following the raid, FBI agents climbed into Adams’ SUV and took his electronic devices.

It’s not yet known what the charges against the mayor are. On Thursday, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the first member of Congress to call for Adams’ resignation.

New York City mayor Eric Adams indicted

02:26 , Graeme Massie

This is a live blog covering the indictment of New York City mayor Eric Adams.