NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors have indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams, as reported by The New York Times.
This significant development follows a lengthy investigation that has troubled the moderate Democrat for nearly a year, coinciding with multiple law enforcement inquiries that have resulted in several high-profile resignations. With reelection on the horizon next year, the stakes are high for Adams.
The investigation is being led by Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The specific charges in the sealed indictment have yet to be disclosed, but Williams is expected to announce them publicly on Thursday.
In response to the indictment news, Adams issued a statement asserting his innocence and promising to contest the charges. “I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers, I would become a target—and a target I became,” he stated. “If I am charged, I am innocent and will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
For months, Adams and his campaign have insisted on his innocence following a series of FBI raids targeting individuals associated with his 2021 campaign. On November 2, federal agents executed multiple raids across the city, interviewing individuals linked to the mayor, including his former campaign treasurer, an aide focused on Turkish relations, and a former executive from Turkish Airlines who was part of Adams’ transition team. Shortly after, agents confronted Adams on the street, seizing several electronic devices.
Throughout this process, Adams has maintained that he violated no laws. “It takes a great deal of discipline to defend yourself when you know you have done nothing wrong,” he said on August 16, following reports of additional subpoenas issued to him and City Hall. “But I trust my team.”
Adams’ legal team includes attorneys from WilmerHale, notably his former chief counsel, Brendan McGuire, who did not provide immediate comments when reached.
Supporters of Adams have attempted to frame the investigation by Williams as politically or racially motivated, pointing out that both Adams and Williams are Black. “I’ve been telling others that I thought this was a witch hunt and the FBI is going too far,” state Senator Leroy Comrie remarked to POLITICO weeks after the raids.
Allies, such as former Governor David Paterson, have speculated that the investigation by President Joe Biden’s Justice Department is a form of political retribution for Adams’ criticism of Biden’s border policy.
Notably, the U.S. Attorney’s office bringing an indictment so close to a presidential general election is unusual, as the Department of Justice typically refrains from taking significant investigative actions in political cases in the lead-up to an election—a practice known as the 60-day rule.
As previously reported by POLITICO, Adams has a long history with Turkey, having traveled there multiple times and maintaining strong ties with the Turkish community in Brooklyn, where he served as a state senator and later as Brooklyn borough president before becoming mayor in 2022.
Adams has raised millions for his reelection campaign, but the impact of this indictment on his efforts remains uncertain. Several challengers have already opened campaign accounts, and former Governor Cuomo is reportedly monitoring the situation closely, potentially poised to enter the race if Adams is significantly weakened by the impending case.