READ THE INDICTMENT: US attorney accuses Adams of 'long-running' corruption; mayor doesn't plan to resign

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/AP) -- Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Thursday alleging Mayor Eric Adams secured bribes from foreign nationals and illegal campaign contributions in exchange for favors--corruption they said stretches back years to his time as Brooklyn borough president. The mayor is expected to surrender next week, but he remained defiant Thursday, denying wrongdoing and saying he'd continue to lead the city. News of the indictment comes after weeks of searches, subpoenas and resignations of top city officials--including a predawn raid of Gracie Mansion on Thursday.

• READ THE INDICTMENT:

Eric Adams Indictment Unsealed by rabia.gursoy on Scribd

• HERE'S THE LATEST:

8:30 p.m. -- Hochul has reviewed indictment, expects Adams to 'review the situation and find an appropriate path forward'

Gov. Kathy Hochul released an official statement on Thursday night after she "carefully reviewed" the DOJ indictment into Adams, calling it "the latest in a disturbing pattern of events that has, understandably, contributed to a sense of unease among many New Yorkers."

The governor acknowledged that the U.S. legal system is based on a premise that all citizens are innocent until proven guilty, but that "those [who] have chosen a career in elected office know that [they're] held to a higher standard," which she said is "entirely appropriate."

Hochul expects that Adams show the city that he is able to lead unabated, keeping municipal systems functioning appropriately while the situation develops.

"While I review my options and obligations as the Governor of New York, I expect the Mayor to take the next few days to review the situation and find an appropriate path forward to ensure the people of New York City are being well-served by their leaders," the governor said. "We must give New Yorkers confidence that there is steady, responsible leadership at every level of government.”

As governor, Hochul has the power to remove Adams from his position as mayor.

6:30 p.m. – Trump says Adams was indicted because he spoke out about the migrant crisis

Former president Donald Trump was speaking at Trump Tower on Thursday when he briefly commented on the indictment against Adams, stating that the mayor has been “fairly generous” in his comments about Trump, but that he has “no idea of anything [Adams] did.”

Despite his lack of knowledge of the indictment, Trump pointed to Adams’ vocal criticism of the federal government’s handling of the migrant crisis as a reason why he was targeted in an investigation, stating: “I said that he will be indicted because he did that.”

“He talked about how the illegal migrants are hurting our city and the federal government should pay us. He came in and he was pretty strong about it,” Trump said. “He said ‘this is really unfair to make us carry this burden, we shouldn't be doing this, this is New York City.’”

5:03 p.m. – Public Advocate Jumaane Williams tells WINS that Adams' window to regain trust is 'closing rapidly'

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams joined 1010 WINS to discuss the indictment against Adams, bringing a new perspective as the city’s watchdog and the first-in-line to be interim mayor if Adams were to resign or be removed.

When asked why he hasn’t called for Adams’ resignation, he said that the focus of him and his colleagues needs to be on maintaining an effective government for the people of NYC.

“The focus has to be on making sure that there’s a continuity of government. What we heard today is very serious, what was laid out was really damning, as the first in the line of succession, you know, I’m also careful on how I speak about this,” Williams said. “But I do hope the mayor is considering what’s best for New York City.”

Williams said that he wasn’t surprised by the indictment, considering the months of investigations and subpoenas, but that “the scope of what’s being alleged is not something that [he] anticipated,” and the mayor needs to act quickly to establish himself if he feels confident in his ability to govern while under indictment.

“It’s the Southern District’s job to prove a case, and it’s the mayor’s job to try to regain that trust and put a plan forward,” he said. “I think that window’s closing really rapidly. And so he really has to step up quickly and show that.”

He said that while he’s not sure how exactly the mayor can regain trust, “the continuing deflections of what’s happening is not a good way to do that.”

Williams confirmed that there is a plan in place for if he had to take over for Adams—something he did not wish for upon being elected public advocate, as it is “destructive” to the city. But he said that the situation should be viewed “minute by minute and day by day” instead of jumping to the future.

5 p.m. -- Adams to be arraigned Friday at noon

Adams' arraignment was officially scheduled for noon on Friday before Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker.

4:15 p.m. – Adams’ lawyer said the mayor will hopefully appear in court on Friday

Adams’ lawyer Alex Spiro spoke with reporters on Thursday afternoon and suggested that federal authorities did not accept his immediate surrender, and accused them of leaking information about the indictment to media outlets.

“We’ve known for some time that they intended to bring a case against the mayor one way or another,” Spiro said with Adams in front of his official residence.

“You could almost picture them trying to cobble this together and try to tell a story so that they could say ‘corruption, corruption,’ at a press conference,” he continued.

Spiro emphasized that the mayor committed no wrongdoing, and that the indictment does not have Adams doing anything, including taking in money, and that no email or text message in the indictment shows an exchange.

“They left out something very important,” Spiro said. “Something you will soon see, which is that there are emails, with Mayor Adams telling them, telling this staffer, telling all of them, do not take foreign money, period.”

He remained staunch in his statements that there is no valid case against Adams, and that they will hopefully appear in court on Friday.

4 p.m. – NYC Campaign Finance Board is 'reviewing all relevant information'

The city’s Campaign Finance Board, which enforces that public campaign financing program and can impose penalties for violations, said that it is reviewing information related to the indictment.

“The allegations detailed in the indictment are very serious, for New Yorkers and for those of us working to make our elections more accessible, transparent, and accountable to our city,” board chair Frederick Schaffer said in a statement. “While the mayor is presumed innocent until proven guilty and deserves due process, the Board will nonetheless review all relevant information, including but not limited to the indictment, in order to uphold our city’s campaign finance rules and protect taxpayer dollars.”

3 p.m. -- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issues statement

Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader from New York, broke his silence on Thursday afternoon about the indictment, offering concern but focusing on the importance of Adams undergoing a due legal process.

“No one is above the law, including the Mayor of New York City,” Schumer said. “The charges are serious, and the legal process should now play out speedily and fairly.”

2:45 p.m. -- NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams comments on indictment, dodges question about removal

At a news conference on Thursday afternoon, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said that in the mayor’s refusal to resign, he needs to reflect on his ability to fulfill his duties while under indictment.

“I ask the mayor to seriously and honestly consider whether full attention can be given to our deserving New Yorkers who need our government to be sound and stable,” she said.

The speaker also said that while people are innocent until proven guilty, and that the mayor has a right to defend himself, the council hasn’t begun considering whether or not it will pursue removing the mayor from his position for the good of the city government.

“We are of course, like I said, very troubled by everything that’s transpired. We are not prepared today to give an answer to that question,” she said. “We will continue to monitor the situation, to be in talks with our colleagues both at city and state level as we all monitor the situation and see how this further unfolds.”

2:25 p.m. -- Public Advocate Jumaane Williams says charges are 'sweeping and severe'

NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams—who would take over as interim mayor in the event of Adams’ resignation or removal—released a statement on Thursday afternoon reflecting on the seriousness of the charges leveled against the mayor and his steadfast commitment to working with elected officials for the good of the city.

“This is a painful time, and the looming unknowns and uncertainties only add to the confusion and chaos at City Hall in an untenable situation. Justice presumes innocence until proven guilty, at the same time, these charges are even more sweeping and severe than imagined,” Williams said. “In the face of this evidence, it is not enough to deflect blame and deny responsibility.”

The public advocate goes on to say that it is the obligation of the federal officials “to prove their case,” and of the mayor “to prove to New Yorkers that there is a real plan and path to govern the city effectively and regain trust.”

“As the Public Advocate, my role is to fight for the transparency, accountability, and governance that New Yorkers deserve,” Williams continued. “In a moment of intense turmoil, I am committed to working with my fellow elected officials and the many thousands of incredibly dedicated public servants to ensure our city continues to operate in any eventuality.”

1:35 p.m. -- White House pushes back on Adams' claims

The White House pushed back against claims by Adams that he was targeted because of his objections to the administration’s efforts to address immigration and border crossings, saying the actions by the Justice Department were independent of politics.

“The president was clear, even when he was running in 2020, that he was going to make sure that DOJ is independent and the DOJ is handling this case independently,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at Thursday’s briefing.

Adams’ administration has been bogged down with attempts to house tens of thousands of international migrants who overwhelmed the city’s homeless shelters, with Adams at odds with President Joe Biden over funding and a strategy to handle the influx of new residents.

1:30 p.m. -- Hochul hasn't read Adams indictment, yet

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday she hasn’t read the Adams indictment yet.

The Democratic governor, who has the power to remove Adams from office, told reporters after an event Thursday morning that she had not yet read the indictment but would soon do so and then offer detailed comments on the charges.

“I’m going to take the time I need to review this indictment, see what’s embedded with this, but my number one responsibility is to make sure the people of New York city and state of New York are served,” Hochul said.

1:25 p.m. -- City Council progressives call on Adams to resign

The City Council's Progressive Caucus said in a statement that Adams "must resign."

"This is a crisis of his own making, a reflection of poor-decision-making, failed leadership, and disregard for the rule of law that he expounds," the caucus said in part. "No amount of scapegoating can distract from the serious and thorough nature of the federal investigation."

The caucus includes 18 council members who "self-identify as aligned with progressive community issues."

12:50 p.m. -- Jeffries releases statement on Adams indictment

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader of the House and himself from Brooklyn, released a statement after Adams was indicted:

"The indictment of a sitting mayor is a serious and sober moment for New York City. Like every other New Yorker and American, Eric Adams is entitled to the presumption of innocence. That principle is central to the administration of justice in the United States of America," Jeffries said.

"A jury of the Mayor’s peers will now evaluate the charges in the indictment and ultimately render a determination. In the meantime, I pray for the well-being of our great City," the congressman said.

12:25 p.m. – A summary of the allegations against Adams

1010 WINS reporter Marla Diamond broke down some of the allegations against Adams in a live report:

• Mayor Adams was indicted on five federal charges of bribery, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations that prosecutors said began when he was Brooklyn borough president in 2016 and continued after he became mayor in 2021.

• The indictment alleges Adams took over $100,000 in travel benefits, including free or heavily discounted flights on a Turkish airline and also stays in opulent hotels when he flew to Turkey. Prosecutors also allege Adams and his companions got these same upgrades on the same Turkish airline when he visited India, Ghana, France and China.

• The hotel stays were allegedly provided by a wealthy Turkish businesswoman who organized contributions to Adams' 2021 mayoral campaign. In order to conceal these valuable flight, hotel and other travel benefits, prosecutors allege Adams did not fill out the disclosure forms that were legally required.

• For these gifts—among many other alleged favors provided for foreign nationals—prosecutors say Adams pressured the FDNY to cut through red tape for the opening of a new Turkish consulate building in Manhattan that was not safe for occupancy so that it could be opened in time for a visit from the Turkish president.

12:15 p.m. -- U.S. attorney says Adams violated the public trust

Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Adams engaged in “long-running” corruption involving bribes from foreign nationals dating back nearly a decade.

Speaking at a news conference at his Manhattan office, Williams said: "First, the conduct alleging the indictment, the foreign money, the corporate money, the bribery, the years of concealment, is a grave breach of the public's trust. Public office is a privilege. We allege that Mayor Adams abused that privilege and broke the law. Laws that are designed to ensure that officials like him serve the people, not the highest bidder, not a foreign bidder, and certainly not a foreign power. These are bright red lines. And we allege that the mayor crossed them again and again for years. That is the only reason we are here today."

Williams detailed the allegations of bribery and illegal campaign contributions. Williams also said the investigation continues and more people “will be held accountable.”

11:45 a.m. -- More details on coverup allegations in the indictment

Adams failed to disclose his free and discounted travel, created a false paper trail to suggest he had paid it, claimed to a staffer that he deleted his text messages and directed the staffer to ensure his activities in Turkey in 2021 were shielded from public view, prosecutors alleged.

Adams and his co-conspirators, unnamed in the indictment, “continued their efforts to defeat scrutiny of their criminal conduct after the federal investigation into those crimes became known to them,” the indictment said.

Last November, as FBI agents knocked on her door to execute a search warrant, Adams’ fundraiser called the mayor five times and Adams later called her phone as agents were leaving her residence, the indictment said. The fundraiser refused to tell agents who paid for her 2021 travel to Turkey, the indictment said.

Adams was in Washington, D.C. at the time, but upon learning about the search, he canceled the meeting and immediately returned to New York City. A few days later, the FBI executed a search warrant for Adams’ electronic devices. According to the indictment, Adams produced two cellphones but not the personal cellphone he used in conjunction with his alleged crimes. Adams later turned over the phone in response to a subpoena, but it was locked and required a password that Adams claimed to have forgotten, the indictment said.

11:10 a.m. -- Mayor Adams reacts to charges from Gracie Mansion, won't step down

Mayor Adams responded to the indictment outside Gracie Mansion as supporters surrounded him and hecklers shouted from a distance, indicating he won't resign as the case plays out. Watch here:

"We are not surprised," Adams said. "We expected this. This is not surprising to us at all. The actions that have unfolded over the last 10 months--the leaks, the commentary, the demonizing--this did not surprise us that we reached this day."

"I ask New Yorkers to hear our defense before making any judgements," he said, noting federal prosecutors were about to hold a news conference just miles south at the U.S. attorney's office in Lower Manhattan at 11:30 a.m.

"From here, my attorneys will take care of the case, so I can take care of the city," he said. "My day-to-day will not change. I will continue to do the job."

The mayor said he was relieved he could "finally reveal why for 10 months I've gone through this." He called it a "painful day" but added, "I look forward to defending myself and defending the people of this city, as I've done throughout my entire professional career."

10:45 a.m. -- Five-count indictment against Mayor Adams unsealed

A five-count indictment accuses Mayor Adams of taking illegal campaign contributions and bribes from foreign nationals in exchange for favors that included helping Turkish officials get fire safety approvals for a new diplomatic building in the city. Read the full 57-page indictment:

Eric Adams Indictment Unsealed by rabia.gursoy on Scribd

Adams faces charges of bribery conspiracy, fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations in the indictment, which describes a decade-long trail of crimes.

The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan alleges in the indictment that Adams “not only accepted, but sought illegal campaign contributions” to his mayoral campaign. A senior official in the Turkish diplomatic establishment “facilitated many straw donations” to Adams and 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, Hungary, and Turkey, the indictment alleges.

Adams “compounded his gains” from the illegal campaign contributions by gaming the city’s matching funds program, which provides a generous match for small dollar donations. His campaign received more than $10,000 in matching funds as a result of the false certifications, according to the indictment.

Adams allegedly “solicited and demanded” bribes, including free and heavily discounted luxury travel benefits from a Turkish official, the indictment alleges, noting that the official was seeking Adams’ help pertaining to regulations of the Turkish consulate in Manhattan. Adams created and instructed others to create fake paper trails in order to falsely suggest he had paid for travel benefits that were actually free, prosecutors allege. He also deleted messages with others involved in his misconduct, at one point assuring a co-conspirator that he “always” deleted her text messages, according to the indictment.

The charges were made public hours after FBI agents entered the mayor’s official residence and seized his phone early Thursday.

10:25 a.m. -- Adams was still at Gracie Mansion at 9:30 a.m.

Adams' former chief of staff, Frank Carone, and deputy mayor for communications, Fabien Levy, were seen entering Gracie Mansion.

The mood at City Hall, roughly 30 minutes south, was notably quieter. As a gaggle of reporters typed in a press room, the side of the building used by the mayor’s staff was largely silent, with only a handful of aides walking in and out of the normally lively corridor. A portion of the outdoor plaza used as parking for municipal employees featured far fewer city vehicles than usual.

10:15 a.m. -- 'Public corruption charges' to be announced at 11:30

The U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan says it will announce “significant public corruption charges” at a news conference Thursday morning. The news conference is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET.

There was no indication the announcement will be related to Adams, but word of it came hours after federal agents entered Gracie Mansion and seized the mayor's phone early Thursday. And it comes amid widespread reports an indictment would be unsealed sometime Thursday.

Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, won't take questions, officials said.

9:50 a.m. -- 2 more City Council members call on Adams to resign

Councilmembers Lincoln Restler, of Brooklyn, and Shekar Krishnan, of Queens, released statements calling for the mayor to step down.

"The Mayor must resign," Restler wrote on X. "If he refuses, he must be removed from office as prescribed by the charter. New Yorkers deserve so much better."

"The mismanagement, dysfunction and cronyism from City Hall have been evident for far too long," Restler's post continued. "The people of New York City deserve a government that can rise to the challenges our city faces and competently deliver the bold changes we need."

Krishnan said in his statement: "City Hall is in free fall. Over the span of just a few months, we have seen the resignations of the Fire Commissioner, the Police Commissioner, and this week, the Health Commissioner and Schools Chancellor."

Krishnan went on to say: "Mayor Adams has already proven himself unfit and unable to lead from City Hall. He will absolutely be unable to lead from inside a courtroom. He must resign."

9:05 a.m. -- Rallies expected at Gracie Mansion Thursday

Several rallies are expected in the area of Gracie Mansion on Thursday. The rallies will reportedly include people both for and against the mayor's resignation.

8:55 a.m. -- NYC public advocates says news 'incredibly serious'

If Adams were to resign--and he says he won't--he would be replaced by the city’s progressive public advocate, Jumaane Williams, who would then schedule a special election.

Williams' spokesperson William Gerlich said in a statement: "The news of this indictment is itself incredibly serious. As the facts emerge, the Public Advocate will have more to say to the people of New York City, and right now, he is focused on how best to ensure that New Yorkers can regain trust, confidence and stability in city government."

8:30 a.m. -- Neither the US attorney or the FBI has commented

The U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan has declined to comment on the investigation. An FBI spokesperson also declined to comment. However, the federal indictment against Adams is expected to be unsealed in Manhattan on Thursday. There is a report in The City that Adams is being charged with "acting as an unregistered foreign agent for taking actions in his official capacity after receiving donations from foreign sources."

Adams has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to stay on as mayor.

8:15 a.m. -- Federal agents conduct dawn search of Gracie Mansion

Federal agents arrived at Gracie Mansion around 6 a.m. Thursday and seized the mayor's phone. The early morning search is the second time the mayor has had electronic devices seized by federal officials, following a search last November in which his phones and iPad were seized as he left an event in Manhattan.

Vehicles with law enforcement placards drove up to Gracie Mansion and about a dozen agents entered. At least some of them appeared to still be inside after 8 a.m.

Adams lawyer Alex Spiro confirmed the seizure of the phone in a statement: “Federal agents appeared this morning at Gracie Mansion in an effort to create a spectacle (again) and take Mayor Adams phone (again). He has not been arrested and looks forward to his day in court. They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have happily turned it in.”

There was a heavy police presence at Gracie Mansion overnight, with NYPD cars parked around the perimeter of the mayor's official residence. 1010 WINS previously reported there was a steady stream of law enforcement officials Wednesday night seen entering and exiting the mayor's official residence, carrying what appeared to be boxes.

7:45 a.m. -- Hochul's office releases short statement on reports

Gov. Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Adams from office. Hochul spokesperson Avi Small issued a statement overnight that 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.”

The governor and other major leaders likely will wait until the charges are revealed before committing to any positions on the mayor's fitness for office.

If Adams were to resign, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a progressive, would be the interim mayor, before a special election is called.

7 a.m. -- Adams responded to the indictment last night

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.”

“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."

NYPD vehicles guarded Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence, overnight as members of the media gathered.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.