New York — New York City Mayor Eric Adams Indicted after federal investigationCBS News New York reported, citing sources:
The indictment remains sealed, so it is unclear what charges Adams might face. However, he would be the first sitting mayor in New York City history to be indicted.
The move follows several investigations involving the mayor and members of his administration.
The investigation began in November 2023 and has been ongoing for several months, and has intensified in recent weeks with the issuance of a series of subpoenas.
Adams responded to the indictment reports Wednesday night via a recorded video message sent through his attorney.
“New Yorkers, I now believe that the federal government is going to charge me with a crime. If so, then this charge is completely false and based on lies. But it should not be a surprise. I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, I would be targeted, and I was.
“For months, leaks and rumors have been leveled at me in an attempt to discredit me and incriminate me. Just last week, they searched the home of our new police commissioner, finding documents from 20 years ago, just a week after he joined my administration. That’s it. I will fight this injustice with all my might.
“If I am indicted, I know I am innocent. I will demand an immediate trial so New Yorkers can hear the truth. New Yorkers know my story. They know where I come from. I have fought injustice my entire life. That fight has continued as mayor. I have put New Yorkers above party and politics, even as we have pleaded with the federal government for broken immigration policies that overwhelmed our shelter system and left us with no remedies.
“Now, if I am indicted, many will say that I should resign because I cannot run the city while I am handling this case. I also understand that New Yorkers are worried that I will not be able to do my job while I am under indictment. But I have faced these lies for months since I began speaking out for all of you and since their investigation began. Yet the city has continued to improve. Make no mistake, you chose me to lead this city, and I will lead this city. I humbly ask for your prayers and patience as we work through this. God bless you, and God bless New York. Thank you.”
The mayor could appear in court as early as Thursday morning to answer the charges, according to sources.
Reactions pour in from all over
When asked earlier this week whether he would resign because of the investigation, Adams flatly rejected the idea. But after reports of the indictment Wednesday night, many Call for the mayor’s resignationCity Treasurer Brad Lander, who recently announced he will run for mayor in 2025, is one of them.
“First and foremost, this is a sad day for New Yorkers. Trust in our public institutions, especially City Hall, is essential to the functioning of our local democracy and the prosperity of our city. The hard-working citizens of New York City deserve city government and leadership they can trust. That is not the case today,” Lander said. “Like all New Yorkers, Mayor Adams deserves due process, the presumption of innocence, and his day in court. However, it is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges will require the significant time and attention that goes into governing this great city.
“The most appropriate way forward is for him to step aside so New York City can focus on all the leadership it needs,” Lander added.
The Governor’s Call Could Soon Be in the Spotlight
CBS News New York’s Marcia Cramer reports that Gov. Cathy Cole has the ability to remove Adams from office, adding that there would be pressure to do so because of the many positions that need to be filled due to recent resignations and because his situation could make it difficult to fill those positions.
But Cramer reported that Adams believes there is a rationale for remaining in office, given that the investigation has lasted nearly a year and crime rates have dropped while jobs and tourism have increased.
If Adams resigns or is removed from office by the governor, Public Defender Juman Williams will serve temporarily and ultimately call a special election, which must be held within 80 days of being called.
Adams said he and his officials were cooperating.
Asked whether he would resign, Adams previously flatly rejected any such thoughts.
“I’m not going to back down, I’m going to move forward,” Adams said Tuesday. “I have a city to run.”
Adams said on Tuesday that he I’m looking forward to running for re-election.He was sworn in for a second term.
“We expect all team members to be fully responsive to all ongoing inquiries,” an Adams spokesperson said.
Various investigations
Adams Campaign Fundraising Survey: Federal authorities are investigating donations made to Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign by individuals linked to the Turkish government, sources told CBS News New York. The probe began in November 2023. Federal agents They raided the home of Adams’ chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs.. Adams was attending a conference on the immigrant crisis in Washington, D.C., at the time of the attack, but returned to New York after hearing news of the attacks on Suggs and others.
The investigation has clearly expandedPeople with knowledge of the investigation said the new subpoena served on Adams’ lawyer in July sought information related to dealings with Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea and Uzbekistan.
Adams said Tuesday that as mayor he had only visited Israel and Qatar.
Issues raised in the fundraising investigation: Whether Turkish straw donors contributed to Adams’ campaignAccording to sources, employees of a Brooklyn construction company reportedly donated to Adams’ campaign, but when questioned, some said they did not remember doing so.
According to CBS News New York, investigators are looking into whether the donations were connected to pressure on the FDNY to approve the opening of a new Turkish consulate in Midtown despite safety concerns, sources told CBS News.
The investigation is also looking into whether Adams received free tickets and upgrades from Turkish Airlines, according to the source.
Other research: Former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban Resigns He said federal agents raided his home and stole his cell phone. The investigation involves his twin brother, James Caban, who worked as a go-between for restaurants and nightclubs that had problems with the NYPD, CBS News New York sources said. James Caban reportedly helped restaurants resolve noise complaints and other issues that required the NYPD’s attention.
James Caban’s attorney argued there was nothing wrong with the former NYPD officer serving as a liaison between the NYPD and nightclubs.
In another investigation, federal authorities went to the home of Philip Banks, deputy mayor for public safety, and the Hamilton Heights home of his brother, school superintendent David Banks, and his partner, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. Cell phones were seized from all three. A few weeks after the raid, David Banks He announced that he would retire at the end of the year.He said he told Adams about his retirement before the raid.
Also known to be involved in the investigation is Banks’ brother, Terence Banks, who runs a consulting business called Pearl Alliance, which represents various companies that have contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars with New York City agencies. However, Banks is not a registered lobbyist.
Let’s take a closer look at who took part in the various surveys..
