New York Mayor Eric Adams Charged With Federal Offenses: NPR

As news spread that Mayor Eric Adams had been indicted on federal charges, federal agents raided New York City's Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence, on Thursday.

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New York Mayor Eric Adams is facing federal charges of bribery, fraud and soliciting a political contribution from a foreign national, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday – a historic move following a months-long investigation.

In a video released Wednesday when news of the charges broke, Adams protested his innocence.

Early Thursday, federal agents raided the mayor's official residence, Gracie Mansion. Gothamist was reported citing law enforcement authorities.

Here is the indictment, which was unsealed on Thursday:

Reporters from NPR and member stations are reading court documents to get the full context of the allegations against Adams and will continue to update this story.

During nearly a decade of his political career – first as borough president and then as mayor, according to the indictment – Adams “sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxurious international trips, including from wealthy foreign businessmen and at least one Turkish (government) official who attempted to gain influence over him.”

“By smuggling their contributions to ADAMS through fictitious donors in the United States, ADAMS’ foreign donors evaded federal laws designed to prevent foreign interference in U.S. elections,” the indictment states.

Adams is accused of using the New York City public grant system to increase his profits. The indictment states that Adams' “2021 mayoral campaign received more than $10,000,000 in public funds based on false claims.”

The federal charges represent a significant turning point in the career of Adams, a former New York Police Department officer and state senator who later became Brooklyn borough president before winning the 2021 mayoral election.

What happens if Adams resigns?

Under New York City's line of succession, the next mayor would be the city's 48-year-old ombudsman, Jumaane D. Williams, a former City Council member who represented a Brooklyn district. Next after Williams would be City Treasurer Brad Lander, a progressive Democrat who said in July he would challenge Adams in the 2025 election.

When Adams was asked directly on Wednesday whether he wanted to resign, he remained calm: “I will take office, not resign. I have a city to lead.”

It is not certain how long the mayor was warned against indictment. In the same press conference on Wednesday, he said, “I am excited to see what the future and what tomorrow holds for us.”

Indictment follows departures of high-ranking officials

In the last few days, three prominent figures in the Adams administration have resigned:

NYPD Commissioner Eric Caban resigned a week after federal authorities seized his cellphone as part of an investigation.

Lisa Zornberg, the mayor's chief counsel and legal advisor, resigned days later.

Kristen Kaufman, deputy commissioner for public-private partnerships and economic development, also resigned.

New York Mayor Eric Adams attended the Veterans Day Parade last November after federal agents confiscated electronic devices belonging to him.

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Rumors of problems began last fall

Federal agents raided several people in Adams' inner circle last November, Gothamist and WNYC reporter Elizabeth Kim told NPR last week.

Among those conducting the search was Adams' top fundraiser, Brianna Suggs – a surprising but not shocking development: other mayors' fundraising activities have also been investigated over the years.

“But what was unusual and really surprised people was that federal agents also seized the mayor's phones,” Kim said. “That's when political observers started to think this was pretty serious, because this was pretty unprecedented in New York.”

According to Kim, the biggest questions surrounding the mayor's investigation revolve around the focus of the investigation and possible overlap with other investigations.

“We know that part of the focus was on illegal donations from Turkish officials,” Kim said. “Then there's another investigation into one of Mayor Adams' fundraisers who was really focused on the Chinese community.”