Adams “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 that they were contributing their own money.”
The indictment against New York Mayor Eric Adams was unsealed in court on Thursday morning. Adams was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, receiving campaign contributions by foreign nationals, wire fraud, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, and bribery.
The indictment states that Adams "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 that they were contributing their own money." This, the Biden-Harris admin alleges, "defeated federal laws that serve to prevent foreign influence on US elections." The "gains," the indictment reads, were compounded and used "to defraud New York City and steal public funds" due to campaign fund matching programs.
Adams was indicted on Wednesday and his official Gracie Mansion residence raided on Thursday morning. The first indication publicly that there were concerns came in the fall of 2023 when his former campaign manager's Brooklyn home was raided. Adams, who was heading to Washington, DC at the time to discuss the border crisis with President Joe Biden and ask for more resources for the overburdened city, turned around and headed home to deal with the scandal unfolding in his administration.
The indictment reads that Adams "sought and received other improper benefits from some of the same co-conspirators who funneled straw donations to his campaigns. In particular, a senior official in the Turkish diplomatic establishment who facilitated many straw donations to Adams, also arranged for Adams and his companions to receive free or discounted travel of Turkey's national airline, which is owned in significant part by the Turkish government, to destinations including France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, and Turkey itself." Receiving free hotel rooms "at opulent hotels" as well as meals and entertainment while in Turkey were also among the allegations. The indictment alleges that Adams did not disclose these things.
In return, the indictment alleges, Adams engaged in "pressuring the New York City Fire Department to facilitate the opening of a new Turkish consular building—a 36-story skyscraper–without a fire inspection, in time for a high-profile visit by Turkey's president. At the time, the building would have failed an FDBY inspection." Further, they allege that if the FDNY official responsible did not comply, he would be fired.
The indictment goes on to detail occurrences of Adams' interaction with Turkish officials, trips to the nation, and alleged compliance with their demands in New York City. They show photos of the hotel suites, and claim that Adams "knowingly accepted straw donations for his 2021 campaign."
Adams has claimed that he is innocent of the charges as calls for his resignation have mounted on social media. Should Adams either resign or be forced out of office by Governor Kathy Hochul, the only one with the power to do that, far left Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would be installed as mayor.
The full indictment can be read below.
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