Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on charges of allegedly accepting $10 million in illegal campaign contributions and bribes, including luxury travel perks from foreign nationals in exchange for political favors, according to a federal indictment unsealed by Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday.
The five-count indictment—the first ever against a sitting New York City mayor—details Adams’ alleged involvement in a decade-long scheme of corruption, writes the New York Post. The indictment claims that since becoming Brooklyn Borough President in 2014, Adams sought and accepted illicit benefits, such as free international flights and luxury accommodations, from wealthy foreign donors, including a Turkish government official.
As Adams’ political influence grew, the foreign nationals allegedly sought to capitalize on their relationships with him, particularly in 2021 when his mayoral victory seemed imminent. The indictment accuses Adams of providing special favors in exchange for these bribes, such as pressuring city officials to approve the Turkish consulate in Manhattan without proper inspections.
Adams flew on Turkish Airlines with discounted rates
Additionally, Adams is charged with accepting “straw donations” from Turkish diplomatic officials, allowing him and associates to fly to various countries, including France and China, at discounted rates. Prosecutors claim Adams also manipulated the city’s matching funds program, fraudulently earning his campaign over $10,000 through false certifications. Moreover, Adams allegedly attempted to cover his tracks by creating fake paper trails and deleting incriminating messages with co-conspirators.
The indictment reveals that Adams faces five criminal charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, bribery, and illegal solicitation of campaign contributions by a foreign national. It remains unclear when Adams will appear in court, although sources suggest he may not surrender until next week.
