New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been charged with multiple counts of bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and solicitation of foreign contributions in a nearly 10-year-long corruption scheme, as revealed in a 57-page federal indictment. According to the indictment, Adams received over $100,000 worth of luxury travel benefits, including flights and hotel stays, from wealthy Turkish nationals and officials in exchange for favors and campaign contributions. These contributions began in 2014 when Adams served as Brooklyn borough president and helped underwrite his 2021 mayoral campaign.
Details of the Bribery and Wire Fraud Scheme
Federal prosecutors allege that Adams pressured the New York Fire Department (FDNY) to overlook safety violations and approve the opening of a Turkish consulate skyscraper. Despite serious safety concerns, Adams ensured the consulate was opened for a visit by Turkey’s president. The indictment accuses Adams of concealing his misconduct through fake paper trails and deleting incriminating messages.
“This was a multiyear scheme to buy favor with a single New York City politician on the rise,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said during a news conference. Adams, now 64, becomes the first sitting NYC mayor to be indicted in the modern era.
The charges come at a turbulent time for the Adams administration. In recent weeks, the city’s police commissioner, chief lawyer, and schools chancellor have resigned. Despite the indictment, Adams has vowed to fight the charges and remain in office, urging New Yorkers to reserve judgment until his defense is presented. “We are not surprised. We expected this,” Adams said defiantly, adding that he would continue his duties as mayor.
Several prominent New York politicians, such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and state Senator John Liu, have called for Adams to resign. However, political heavyweights like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Governor Kathy Hochul have not joined the calls for his resignation.
The indictment details Adams’ relationship with influential Turkish nationals, including a senior diplomatic official, a promoter, a university chairman, an airline manager, and a luxury hotel owner. These individuals allegedly provided Adams with illegal campaign contributions disguised through straw donors—U.S. citizens who falsely certified that the money was their own. The indictment claims that Adams’ campaign received over $10 million in matching public funds based on these false certifications.
From 2016 to 2021, Adams allegedly received business-class tickets and upgrades on multiple international trips to countries such as India, France, China, Hungary, Ghana, and Turkey, valued at over $123,000. Ahead of a 2021 trip to Istanbul, Adams’ staff asked the Turkish airline manager to create a “real” invoice to conceal the gift. “How much should I charge?” the airline manager asked. “$1000 or so,” an Adams staffer replied. “Let it be somewhat real.”
Prosecutors also accuse Adams of directing efforts to hide his illegal conduct. He allegedly reassured a co-conspirator that he “always” deleted her messages to prevent discovery. In one conversation, a Turkish official told Adams it was his turn to support Turkey, having received substantial campaign donations. The indictment highlights Adams’ role in pressuring the FDNY commissioner to approve the Turkish consulate despite the building’s failure to meet fire safety standards.
“You are Great Eric, we are so happy to hear that,” the Turkish official wrote when Adams delivered news of the consulate’s approval. “You are a true friend of Turkey,” he added. Adams replied with, “Yes even more a true friend of yours… You are my brother. I am here to help.”
Following Adams’ 2021 mayoral victory, his foreign backers celebrated. A Turkish promoter claimed Adams was destined to become president of the U.S., stating, “The president is our brother from now on.” He added that he would leverage Adams’ victory to strengthen Turkey’s lobbying efforts in the U.S.
In addition to the bribery and wire fraud charges, the Adams administration is embroiled in other federal investigations. In a separate probe earlier this month, authorities seized phones belonging to multiple top officials close to Adams, including the police commissioner, Edward Caban, who resigned shortly after. Federal investigators are also looking into whether Adams’ associates received payments from nightclubs in exchange for preferential treatment from local police precincts.
The investigation into Adams’ activities is ongoing. “We continue to dig, and we will hold more people accountable,” Williams said. Hours before the indictment was unsealed, FBI agents raided Adams’ official residence and seized his phone for the second time. Adams’ lawyer criticized the raid, saying, “They send a dozen agents to pick up a phone when we would have happily turned it in.”
