NYC Mayor Eric Adams has become the first sitting mayor to be indicted by a grand jury in the city’s history. He is alleged to have fraudulently obtained $10 million dollars in public campaign funds and received $123,000 worth of bribes including cushy travel upgrades. The allegations stem from Adams accepting illicit gifts from foreign nationals for over a decade as part of a multi-year scheme to gain favor, according to US Attorney Damian Williams. In return for the alleged payouts, Adams pressured Big Apple officials to waive inspections and push through approval for the Turkish Consulate in Manhattan.
The mayor is charged with one count of conspiracy to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals and commit wire fraud and bribery, one count of wire fraud, two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, and one count of soliciting and accepting a bribe. If convicted on all charges, Adams could face up to 45 years in prison. GOP Rep Elise Stefanik called for the mayor’s resignation, while Mayor Adams himself has vowed to continue serving as mayor despite the indictment.
