Defiant Adams: ‘I will continue to do the job’
The mayor said he wasn’t surprised by the indictment, telling reporters Thursday outside his home that he “expected this.”
“This did not surprise us that we reached this day,” he said. “And I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before making any judgments. In about 30 minutes we are going to hear a story about a case that’s in front of us. The story will come from the federal prosecutors, and I ask to wait and hear our side to this narrative.”
Adams said he would continue to “take care of the city.”
“My day-to-day will not change. I will continue to do the job for 8.3 million New Yorkers that I was elected to do,” he said.
Adams went on to say that it was a “painful” day and looks forward to “defending myself and defending the people of this city as I’ve done throughout my entire professional career.”
Adams charged with bribery and wire fraud over nearly 10 years
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been hit with five federal charges — including wire fraud, bribery and solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national — according to a sprawling 57-page federal indictment unsealed Thursday.
Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York accuse Adams of seeking and accepting luxury international travel from a wealthy businessman and at least one Turkish government official for nearly a decade.
In 2017, when he was the Brooklyn Borough president, Adams accepted a heavily discounted stay at the St. Regis Istanbul owned by a businesswoman who “sought to ingratiate herself with Adams,” the indictment says.
Although the Bentley Suite for two nights would have cost approximately $7,000, Adams paid less than $600, the indictment says. He also did not disclose the trip as he was required to do so as an elected official.
“As Adams’ prominence and power grew, his foreign-national benefactors sought to cash in on their corrupt relationships with him, particularly when, in 2021, it became clear that Adams would become New York City’s mayor,” the indictment says. “Adams agreed, providing favorable treatment in exchange for the illicit benefits he received.”
Search at Gracie Mansion pertained to Turkey, sources say
The search this morning at Gracie Mansion pertained to allegations that Adams’ mayoral campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal campaign contributions from foreign sources, said two sources close to the mayor with firsthand knowledge of the events.
Investigators were also looking into whether Adams pressured the city’s fire commissioner to approve a new building housing the Turkish Consulate despite concerns over its safety.
Federal agents showed up at the home around 6 a.m. with a search warrant and duffel bags, the sources said. They requested cellphones and tablets and seized Adams’ phone.
The mayor was given a summons informing him that he would be indicted, one source said, noting that Adams was still unaware of what he was being charged with.
The feds left his home after several hours, the two sources said.
If the case is related to the mayor’s alleged involvement with the Turkish government, Adams’ team believes they will prevail. According to the sources, federal authorities believe they have exculpatory evidence that shows Adams contemporaneously advising his staff of the law and what not to do.
As of now, Adams and the feds have not negotiated any type of surrender. In a statement last night, Adams said he would fight the charges.
Vehicles seen leaving Adams' home
Five vehicles were seen departing Gracie Mansion around 9:40 a.m.
Feds searched Adams' home 'in an effort to create a spectacle,' attorney says
An attorney for Eric Adams said the FBI searched the mayor's home "in an effort to create a spectacle (again) and take Mayor Adams' phone (again)." The search at Gracie Mansion came after news broke that Adams was expected to face federal charges.
"He has not been arrested and looks forward to his day in court," attorney Alex Spiro said. "They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have happily turned it in."
Feds searching Adams' home
The FBI is conducting a search of Gracie Mansion, the home of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, according to video from WNBC, NBC News, and multiple people familiar with the matter.
The FBI New York declined to comment when asked this morning.
Potential next mayor weighs in
The city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, would take over as interim mayor if Adams were to step down. Williams called the news of Adams’ pending charges “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,” Williams added.
Gov. Hochul responds
A spokesperson for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed the news of Adams' charges but declined to say much on the matter.
"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," her spokesperson said this morning.
Calls for Adams to resign are growing louder
Adams faced a wave of calls to resign Wednesday evening following reports that he is expected to face federal charges as soon as Thursday.
It is not clear what Adams will be charged with, and spokespeople for the FBI and the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.
“The mayor needs to resign for the good of the city. His legal fight is not our fight,” said Scott Stringer, the former New York City comptroller and 2021 mayoral candidate, in a statement. “While the mayor focuses on proving his innocence, the rest of us need to focus on the business of the city — building affordable housing, educating our kids, and keeping this city safe.”
Stringer launched an exploratory committee in January for next year’s mayoral election.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and New York state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who are both running for mayor next year, also called on Adams to resign.
“The hardworking people of New York City deserve a city government and leadership they can trust,” Lander said on X. “Right now, they don’t have it.”
The influential progressive state group, the New York Working Families Party, said in a statement that “Adams can no longer govern.”
“He has lost the trust of the everyday New Yorkers he was elected to serve,” the group said.
Who takes over as acting NYC mayor if Eric Adams leaves office?
Adams has repeatedly said he is not going anywhere and has no plans to resign, despite mounting investigations and news last night that he was facing federal charges.
Should the situation change and Adams resign or be suspended from office by the governor, who would lead the city and become acting mayor?
According to the New York City charter, if a mayor is suspended by the governor, unable to perform their duties, absent from the city or resigns, the city’s public advocate would become the acting mayor and serve in a temporary capacity.
New York City’s current public advocate is Jumaane Williams.
Williams, a former city councilman, has served as the city’s public advocate since winning a special election in 2019.