Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams unsealed a 57-page indictment accusing Mayor Eric Adams of performing favors for Turkish nationals in exchange for illegal donations that boosted his 2021 mayoral campaign funds. Adams faces charges of wire fraud, bribery, and receiving contributions from foreign nationals. The indictment alleges he pressured fire officials to allow a Turkish consulate building to open without a safety inspection. Adams is expected to surrender to federal authorities next week for arraignment. Prosecutors claim Adams knew the contributions were illegal and granted favors in return. The indictment also highlights Adams’ efforts to conceal the scheme by creating fake records and deleting messages.
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City faces a 57-page indictment unsealed by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. The charges accuse Adams of engaging in favors for Turkish foreign nationals in exchange for illegal donations that generated significant public matching funds for his 2021 mayoral campaign. This marks the first time a New York City mayor has been charged with a crime while in office.
The indictment includes allegations of wire fraud, bribery, and receiving contributions from foreign nationals, which Adams allegedly knew to be illegal. The foreign nationals, including a senior official in the Turkish diplomatic establishment, reportedly raised funds through illegal “straw” donations and provided Adams with over $120,000 in free airfare, hotel stays, and luxurious entertainment during trips worldwide.
In one instance, Adams allegedly pressured fire officials to allow a new 36-story building housing the Turkish consulate to open without a required fire safety inspection. This action was taken to accommodate a visit by Turkey’s president Tayyip Erdogan, despite the building being deemed unfit for occupancy. The indictment suggests that Adams threatened the job of an FDNY official who raised concerns about the building’s safety.
The indictment reveals that these improper transactions date back to Adams’ time as Brooklyn Borough President in 2016. Adams and his companions reportedly received complimentary or discounted airfare for travel to various countries, including France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, and Turkey.
While Adams has not been arrested, he is expected to surrender to federal authorities for arraignment next week. The charges stem from a thorough investigation conducted by the FBI and the city Department of Investigation. Despite claims from Adams’ campaign officials that they were unaware of the illegal nature of the contributions, prosecutors argue that evidence will demonstrate Adams knowingly accepted these contributions.
The indictment asserts that Adams granted favors to his benefactors in exchange for the illegal benefits he received. Prosecutors allege that Adams sought to conceal his actions by directing others to create false records and a misleading paper trail. Additionally, Adams is accused of deleting messages with individuals involved in his alleged misconduct, indicating an attempt to cover his tracks.
In summary, the indictment against Mayor Eric Adams paints a picture of a public official who abused his position for personal gain, engaging in illicit activities that compromised the integrity of his office. The case underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in government, and serves as a reminder of the consequences of violating laws and ethics regulations.
Source: TheCity.NYC
