New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicted on federal criminal charges: sources

NEW YORK ( WPIX ) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal criminal charges, sources told Nexstar’s WPIX.

The charges against Adams are still sealed.

“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,” Adams said in a statement released Wednesday night.

In a speech recorded at his official residence, Adams acknowledged that some would question his ability to manage the city while he fights the charges, but he vowed to stay in office.

“I have been facing these lies for months … yet the city has continued to improve,” Adams said. “Make no mistake. You elected me to lead this city and lead it I will.”

It’s not immediately clear when the charges will be made public or when Adams might have to appear in court.

Adams is the first mayor in the history of New York City to be indicted while in office.

The indictment follows a tumultuous month at City Hall marked by federal investigations and a slew of resignations from top city officials, including Adams’ chief legal counsel, the NYPD commissioner , the health commissioner, and the chancellor of New York City’s public schools.

An investigation into Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign fundraising became widely known in November 2023. That’s when FBI agents searched the home of Brianna Suggs, who was a fundraiser for Adams during his 2021 campaign, and Rana Abbasova, who worked in the mayor’s international affairs office. Four days later, FBI agents seized phones and an iPad from Adams as he was leaving a public event in Manhattan.

A search warrant indicated that authorities have been examining whether the Adams campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources, funneled through straw donors, The New York Times previously reported .

Investigators have also looked into whether Adams took steps in 2021 to help the Turkish government get city approval to open a Manhattan skyscraper, despite concerns about the building’s fire prevention systems, according to The New York Times.

The investigation’s scope has since grown. Over the summer, federal investigators requested information about Adams’ dealings with Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea and Uzbekistan, the New York Times reported .

Adams has maintained he follows the law. When asked about the investigation on Tuesday, the mayor said he would cooperate with investigators.

“Whatever information is needed, we’re going to turn over,” Adams said. “It’s going to go to process.”

Recently, federal investigators have taken aim at Adams’ inner circle . The FBI in September raided the home of now-resigned New York City Public Schools Chancellor David Banks , which he shares with Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, according to sources. Philip Banks, the deputy mayor of public safety and brother of the schools chancellor, also had his home raided, sources said.

As part of a separate investigation , federal authorities seized the phones of now-resigned NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and several NYPD lieutenants, sources told WPIX.

Just over a week after Adams named Thomas Donlon the interim NYPD commissioner, his home was searched by federal authorities. Donlon said the investigation was not related to his work with the NYPD.

Molly Schaeffer, who coordinates the city’s efforts to get housing and social services for newly arrived migrants, received a subpoena at her Brooklyn home on Sept. 20, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Back in February, a third aide to Adams had her properties targeted by federal agents. FBI agents searched two Bronx addresses owned by Winnie Greco , a former fundraiser for Adams who now serves as his director of Asian affairs.

The purpose of the investigation was not revealed, and it wasn’t clear at the time whether it was related to Adams. But it was another sign of the deepening law enforcement scrutiny of the mayor and members of his inner circle.

When asked during an interview on PIX on Politics on Dec. 17 whether he would step aside if he was indicted, Adams expressed disapproval.

“I think it’s ridiculous for somebody to say ‘if there’s an indictment.’ People are throwing these words out there. Let the process carry out. That is what’s great about our country. There is a due process system in place,” Adams said.

Adams on Tuesday reiterated he has no intention of resigning.

“I’m stepping up, not stepping down. I have a city to run that I will continue to run,” the mayor said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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