On Monday, September 16, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted by a grand jury on federal criminal charges, according to sources familiar with the matter. The indictment’s detailed charges remain sealed, as reported by individuals who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the case publicly.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan has declined to comment on the situation, while The New York Times initially reported on the indictment. In a statement, Adams suggested he had not been informed of the indictment, asserting his innocence and his intention to fight the charges.
The timing of when the charges will be made public or when Adams might need to appear in court is not yet clear. This indictment represents a significant development for Adams, a former police captain elected nearly three years ago on a platform focused on reducing crime with a law-and-order approach.
In the past year, Adams has been under increasing legal scrutiny, with multiple federal investigations into his top advisers leading to subpoenas, searches, and high-level resignations, causing turmoil within City Hall. Throughout, Adams has consistently claimed ignorance of any wrongdoing and expressed his resolve to remain in office as of Wednesday afternoon.
Adams is the first sitting mayor in New York City history to face indictment. Should he resign, the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, would succeed him and call for a special election. Governor Kathy Hochul has the authority to remove Adams from office; her office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier on the day of the indictment, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged Adams to resign, pointing to the federal probes and unexpected exits of high-ranking city officials. Adams responded dismissively to Ocasio-Cortez’s call for his resignation.
The federal investigations became publicly known on November 2, 2023, when FBI agents raided the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, Adams’ chief fundraiser. Despite the raid, Adams insisted on his and his campaign’s adherence to the law. Subsequently, FBI agents confiscated the mayor’s electronic devices, including his phones and iPad.
Further federal actions on September 4 saw the seizure of electronic devices from several senior city officials and advisors, including the city’s police commissioner and schools chancellor. These investigations involve inquiries into senior aides, campaign fundraising practices, and possible influence within city departments.
Following these events, Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned, not wanting the investigations to distract from his duties, while Schools Chancellor David Banks announced his retirement by year-end. Nonetheless, Adams pledged to continue his work and allow investigations to proceed.
Federal prosecutors issued subpoenas over the summer to Adams, his campaign team, and City Hall, seeking details on his schedule, foreign travel, and potential ties to the Turkish government. Adams’ political career began with a 22-year stint in the New York City police department before serving as a state senator and later as Brooklyn Borough President.
Adams’ administration has faced various challenges beyond the legal troubles, such as the rising need to house thousands of international migrants. Allegations have also surfaced from multiple quarters, including a scheme to funnel funds to Adams’ campaign involving a former police captain and a former top building-safety official, Eric Ulrich, charged with accepting bribes for political favors.
Further searches by federal investigators targeted properties linked to Winnie Greco, Adams’ aide, and other key figures in his administration. These searches also included the Manhattan homes of interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlan, leading to the seizure of materials unrelated to his police work but from his tenure with the FBI.
As the investigations continue, the complexities surrounding Adams’ administration and its close associates, such as the ongoing federal scrutiny, show no signs of abating.
