NEW YORK — New York Mayor Eric Adams has been charged following a federal investigation, sources tell CBS News New York.
The measure follows several investigations involving the mayor and members of his administration.
The various investigations have been ongoing for months, starting in November 2023, and have flared up in recent weeks with a flood of subpoenas.
Adams responded to reports of the charges on Wednesday evening.
“I always knew that if I took a stand for New Yorkers, I would be a target — and a target I was. If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with all my might and spirit,” Adams said.
According to sources, the mayor may appear in court as early as Thursday morning to answer to the charges.
Mayoral candidate Brad Lander calls for Adams’ resignation
City Manager Brad Lander, who recently announced he is running for mayor in 2025, said Adams should resign.
“First and foremost, this is a sad day for New Yorkers. Trust in public institutions, especially City Hall, is essential to the functioning of our local democracy and to the thriving of our city. The hardworking people of New York City deserve a city government and leadership they can trust. Right now, they don’t have that,” Lander said. “Mayor Adams, like all New Yorkers, deserves a fair trial, the presumption of innocence, and his day in court. However, it is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges will take up a significant amount of the time and attention required to govern this great city.
“The most appropriate path forward is for him to step down so that New York City can have the full focus that her leadership requires. At this urgent moment, the city’s leaders must focus on how best to achieve stable governance so that New York City can move forward and thrive. As the city’s controller, I will do everything in my power to ensure that happens.”
Adams has said he and his officials are working together
When asked if he planned to resign, Adams had previously rejected the idea outright.
“I’m stepping down, not off,” Adams said Tuesday. “I have a city to run.”
Adams said Tuesday that he I look forward to standing for re-electionand be sworn in for a second term.
A spokesperson for Adams said: “We expect all team members to cooperate fully with any ongoing investigation.”
The different studies
Investigation into Adams campaign fundraising: Federal authorities were investigating donations to Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign from people with ties to the Turkish government, sources told CBS News New York. That investigation began in November 2023. Federal agents raided the home of Adams’ main fundraiser, Brianna SuggsAdams was attending a meeting about the migrant crisis in Washington, D.C., at the time of the raid, but returned to New York City when he heard that raids were taking place at the homes of Suggs and others.
That research is apparently extensivePeople with knowledge of the investigation said a new round of subpoenas served on Adams’ lawyer in July sought information related to his dealings with Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea and Uzbekistan.
Adams said Tuesday that as mayor he has only visited Israel and Qatar.
The fundraising research focuses on: Whether straw donors from Turkey contributed to Adams’ campaignAccording to sources, employees of a Brooklyn construction company reportedly donated to Adams’ campaign. However, when questioned, some of them said they did not remember doing so.
Investigators have been looking into whether donations were linked to possible pressure on the FDNY to approve the opening of a new Turkish consulate in Midtown despite security concerns, sources told CBS News New York.
According to sources, an investigation is also underway into whether Adams received free flights and upgrades on Turkish Airlines.
Other studies: Former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban has resigned after he revealed that federal agents had searched his home and taken his phone. That investigation is tied to his twin brother, James Caban, who reportedly worked as a fixer for restaurants and nightclubs that had run afoul of the NYPD, sources told CBS News New York. James Caban allegedly helped restaurants smooth over issues such as noise complaints and other problems that could have attracted the NYPD’s attention.
James Caban’s attorney argues there’s nothing wrong with a former NYPD officer serving as a liaison between the NYPD and nightclubs.
Another investigation led federal authorities to the homes of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks and the Hamilton Heights home of his brother, Schools Chancellor David Banks, and his partner, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. All three had their phones seized. A few weeks after the raid, David Banks announced that he would retire at the end of this yearHe said he had previously told Adams about his retirement, before the raid took place.
Another Banks brother, Terence Banks, is also said to be involved in that investigation. He runs a consulting firm called Pearl Alliance. That firm represents several companies that have contracts with agencies in New York City worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Banks, however, is not a registered lobbyist.
Here’s a closer look at who’s who in the various studies.
