New York City Mayor Eric Adams is expected to appear in federal court on Wednesday as he faces five criminal charges.
Adams was indicted last week and pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals; wire fraud; solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national; and bribery.
The 57-page indictment alleges that Adams accepted over $100,000 in undisclosed gifts such as luxury travel and hotel stays from Turkish businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams gives a press conference in the city hall rotonda in New York City on October 1, 2024. Adams is expected to appear in federal court on Wednesday.
Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
“This was a multi-year scheme to buy favor with a single New York City politician on the rise, Eric Adams,” United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said at a press conference on Thursday.
The proceeding is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at a courthouse located just a few blocks from City Hall. The judge assigned to the case, Dale Ho, could set a preliminary time for the trial.
Ho could also consider a motion by the defense to open an investigation into whether prosecutors improperly leaked information to reporters about the inquiry into Adams.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, speaks at a news conference detailing an indictment against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo
Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, also filed a motion to dismiss the bribery charge on Monday, claiming that prosecutors’ accusations are “extraordinarily vague” and failed to prove that Adams broke the law.
On Monday, the number of top officials to resign from the Adams administration grew yet again as Timothy Pearson stepped down from his role as senior adviser for public safety.
Police Commissioner Edward Caban, chief counsel Lisa Zornberg and health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan resigned in the days and weeks leading up to the indictment.
New York City schools chancellor David Banks announced his retirement two days before the indictment was unsealed.
Multiple politicians are calling for Adams’ resignation, including New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X. “The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration. For the good of the city, he should resign.”
So far, Adams has not expressed any plans to resign.
“From here, my attorneys will take care of the case so I can take care of the city,” Adams said at a press conference on Thursday. “My day to day will not change.”
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