NEW YORK, NY. (THECOUNT) — In a stunning turn of events, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a federal grand jury, sources revealed to The New York Post. The indictment, which is connected to an ongoing investigation into Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign, marks the first time in 170 years that a sitting New York City mayor has faced criminal charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is expected to unseal the indictment this Thursday.
Adams, the first mayor of New York City to face such charges since the 19th century, is set to surrender to authorities early next week. In a statement to The Post, Adams strongly proclaimed his innocence: “I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became. If I am charged, I am innocent, and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
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Federal Investigation and the Charges
While the exact charges remain under wraps, sources close to the investigation suggest that the indictment is tied to allegations of the Turkish government funneling illegal donations into Adams’ mayoral campaign. In exchange, the Turkish government allegedly sought favorable treatment for the construction of their consulate in Manhattan. The investigation has widened in scope over the past few months, with multiple high-profile raids on Adams’ administration officials.
On Sept. 4, federal agents conducted sweeping raids targeting officials connected to the Adams administration, causing turmoil within City Hall. The investigation, which has spanned several months, also demanded City Hall hand over all communications between the administration and foreign governments, including Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea, and Uzbekistan, according to sources.
Adams’ 2021 campaign had already been served with subpoenas, particularly focusing on donations linked to Turkey. In July, federal prosecutors issued additional subpoenas seeking records of the administration’s communications with various foreign nations, signaling the breadth of the investigation.
Raids and Seized Evidence
The investigation first caught public attention in November when FBI agents raided the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, a key fundraiser for Adams’ campaign. The raid, according to sources, was aimed at uncovering evidence of kickbacks involving Turkish government officials and a Williamsburg-based construction firm, KSK Construction Group.
Following that raid, a cascade of FBI actions shook City Hall. In February, FBI agents searched the Bronx home of another Adams aide, Winnie Greco. The federal agents also seized Adams’ own phones and iPad while he was in Manhattan. Meanwhile, other top officials with ties to Adams, such as Rana Abbasova and former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Ocal, were also targeted in FBI raids.
Despite the gravity of the ongoing investigation, Adams has remained steadfast in his defense, asserting that he has done nothing wrong. “It takes a great deal of discipline to not say something when you know you’ve done nothing wrong,” Adams said during an August press conference when asked about the federal probe into his mayoral campaign.
Security Heightened at Gracie Mansion
Following the news of the indictment, security was ramped up outside Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence. Police erected barriers and moved reporters away from the area, underscoring the heightened tensions surrounding the indictment.
Sources close to Adams indicated late Wednesday that the mayor himself had not been officially notified of the impending charges. However, the mounting pressure from the investigation has left City Hall staff in a state of uncertainty. By Wednesday morning, speculation had spread through City Hall that a senior official would soon face indictment.
Historical Context and Implications
The indictment of a sitting New York City mayor is unprecedented in modern history. According to The City, the last time a New York City mayor faced criminal charges was nearly two centuries ago. While recent mayors like David Dinkins and Bill de Blasio have been subject to corruption investigations, those probes did not result in charges. Even former Mayor Jimmy Walker, who resigned amid a corruption investigation in 1932, was never formally charged.
The bombshell indictment comes amid a spate of federal investigations targeting both Adams’ administration and other City Hall officials. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have maintained a tight lid on these investigations, making it unclear how they may be connected or what additional charges may emerge.
As of now, no other individuals have been formally charged or accused of wrongdoing in the broader set of investigations that have enveloped City Hall.
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