New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been charged with five counts connected to improper campaign contributions, according to a sweeping indictment unsealed Thursday morning.
“ERIC ADAMS, the defendant, sought and accepted illegal campaign contributions in the form of ‘nominee’ or ‘straw’ contributions, meaning that the true contributors conveyed their money through nominal donors, who falsely certified they were contributing their own money,” the indictment states.
Adams faces one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy, two counts of solicitation of a contribution from a foreign national and one count of bribery, according to the indictment, charges that expose the mayor to significant prison time if convicted.
Adams is the first sitting New York City mayor to ever face charges.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks to members of the press at a news conference in New York, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.
Seth Wenig/AP, FILE
The alleged conduct predates Adams’ time as mayor, when he served as Brooklyn borough president, up through his campaign for mayor and during his time in office.
Federal agents seized the mayor’s phone Thursday morning, Alex Spiro, a lawyer for the mayor, told ABC News.
“He has not been arrested and looks forward to his day in court,” Spiro said, “They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have happily turned it in.”
Adams called the accusations “entirely false” in a taped speech addressed to New Yorkers on Wednesday night and said he would fight the indictment with “every ounce of my strength and my spirit.” He also said he would not resign as mayor.
“I always knew that If I stood my ground for all of you that I would be a target — and a target I became,” Adams said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
