New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted as multiple federal corruption investigations into his administration continue, according to reports from U.S. media outlets. Although the specific charges remain unclear, as the indictment is currently sealed, speculation centers on Adams’ alleged involvement in a scheme to receive illegal foreign donations from Turkey during his campaign.
The New York Times, citing individuals familiar with the investigation, noted that federal authorities are probing whether Adams and his campaign conspired with Turkish entities to accept unlawful contributions. Adams has long emphasized his strong ties with New York’s Turkish community, including several visits to Turkey and meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his tenure as Brooklyn borough president.
In a video statement released Wednesday evening, Adams vehemently denied the allegations. “My fellow New Yorkers, I believe the federal government plans to charge me with federal crimes. If that’s the case, these charges are completely false and based on lies,” he said, adding that being a target was something he anticipated after taking a firm stance for New Yorkers.
Eric Adams’ legal team has yet to comment on the indictment. The case follows the FBI’s November seizure of the mayor’s electronic devices in a dramatic public encounter on a New York City street. Over recent weeks, several high-profile officials within Adams’ administration, including NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban and Department of Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan, have resigned, fueling speculation surrounding the ongoing investigations.
Adams’ political journey has been one of highs and lows. A former NYPD captain and son of a house cleaner, he positioned himself as the “first blue-collar mayor” of New York City, pledging to reduce crime and restore the city post-COVID-19. His victory in the 2021 mayoral race made him the second Black mayor in the city’s history.
Now facing a potential uphill battle for re-election in 2025, Adams is under pressure to step down amid growing criticism. While the indictment doesn’t legally require him to resign, his Democratic rivals have already begun calling for his departure. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander stated on X (formerly Twitter), “Mayor Adams, like all New Yorkers, deserves due process… However, it is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges will require significant time and attention… The most appropriate path forward is for him to step down so that New York City can receive the full focus its leadership demands.”
Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. House Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the first prominent Democrat to urge Adams to resign, citing the ongoing investigations and numerous resignations within his administration. Adams swiftly responded, accusing Ocasio-Cortez of “phony politics” and hypocrisy, adding, “For anyone who claims people charged with serious crimes should not be in jail to now demand that the second Black mayor of New York resign based on rumors and innuendo—without a single charge filed—is the height of hypocrisy.”
The indictment represents a dramatic turn for a mayor who has spent years building his public image as a champion of the working class, now embroiled in a legal battle that threatens his political future.