New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former cop, has been indicted by the federal government on bribery and corruption charges.
Adams had released a video prior to the indictment being unsealed September 26, saying he believed he was going to be charged with crimes “based on lies” in retaliation for some political positions he has taken.
The indictment alleges that Adams had “corrupt relationships” for many years with wealthy foreign nationals. According to the feds, Adams pursued and got gifts from wealthy foreigners such as business class seats on international flights. Prosecutors claim that Adams had cultivated these relationships years before he became mayor of the Big Apple. They also say that when he took office, Adams gave time to those who had given him gifts, but brushed off those who had not greased his palm already.
The indictment claims that Adams had such a relationship with an unnamed official from Turkey. That official allegedly tried to call in the chips with Adams by telling him it was Adams’ “turn” to do something for the official. The Turk allegedly wanted Adams to fast-track the opening of a 36-story skyscraper for the Turkish consulate even though the fire marshal would have failed the building during an inspection.
Prosecutors also say that Adams buckled under, paying back the Turkish official in exchange for “free travel and other travel related bribes” that allegedly changed hands in 2021 and 2022. Supposedly, Adams told the head of building inspections at the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) that he would be out of a job if he didn’t approve the opening of the building. The building opened.
Adams strongly denies the allegations. During a press conference, he said that nothing is going to change with his “day to day” job.” His legal team would be handling the case, Adams said, and he would continue to act as the chief executive “for 8.3 million New Yorkers.”
Prior to becoming mayor of New York, Adams was the Brooklyn Borough president, and he also served as a state senator. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, September 27.