NEW YORK –New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been charged following a federal investigationsources tell CBS News New York.
The indictment remains secret, so it’s unclear what charges Adams will face. However, it does make him the first sitting mayor in New York City history to be indicted.
The move is coming following various studies with the mayor and members of its board.
The different probes are taking place over the course of monthsstarting in November 2023and in recent weeks a flood of summonses has arrived.
Adams responds
In a recorded video message sent through his attorney on Wednesday evening, Adams responded to reports of the charges.
“My fellow New Yorkers, I now believe that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes. If so, these charges are completely false, based on lies. But they would not be surprising. I always knew that if I took a stand before all of you, I would be a target, and a target I was.
“For months, leaks and rumors have been directed at me in an attempt to undermine my credibility and paint me as guilty. Just last week, they searched our new police chief’s home for documents dating back 20 years, just a week after he joined my administration. Enough. I will fight these injustices with all my strength and spirit.
“If I am charged, I know I am innocent. I will demand immediate trials 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 your mayor. Despite our pleas when the federal government did nothing as its broken immigration policies overwhelmed our shelter system without any help, I put the people of New York above party and politics.
“If I am charged now, many will say I should resign because I cannot run the city while I fight this case. I can also understand that ordinary New Yorkers are concerned that I cannot do my job while I am charged. But I have been bombarded with these lies for months, ever since I began speaking out for all of you and their investigation began. Yet the city has continued to improve. Make no mistake, you elected me to lead this city and I will lead it. I humbly ask for your prayers and your patience as we work through this. God bless you and God bless the City of New York. Thank you.”
According to sources, the mayor may appear in court as early as Thursday morning to answer to the charges.
Governor Kathy Hochul could soon be in the spotlight
When asked earlier this week whether he would resign over the investigations, Adams flatly rejected the idea, saying he… I look forward to standing for re-election and eventually be sworn in for a second term.
“I’m stepping down, not off,” Adams said Tuesday. “I have a city to run.”
However, following the reports of the indictment on Wednesday evening, many have begun a call for the mayor’s resignation.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul does have the ability to remove Adams from office, CBS News New York’s Marcia Kramer reported, adding that she will be pressured to do so because he… many positions that need to be filled due to recent layoffs and it may be difficult to complete this because of his situation.
However, Kramer also reported that Adams believes he has an argument for staying where he is, as he has been under investigation for nearly a year and claims crime has decreased while employment and tourism have increased.
Should Adams resign or be removed by the governor, New York City Attorney General Jumaane Williams would temporarily take over as president, with three days to call a special election, which would have to take place within 80 days.
The different studies
A spokesperson for Adams said: “We expect all team members to cooperate fully with any ongoing investigation.”
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 searched his house and took his phone. That investigation involves his twin brother, James Caban, who allegedly worked as a fixer for restaurants and nightclubs that have had problems with the NYPDsources told CBS News New York. James Caban allegedly helped restaurants smooth over issues such as noise complaints and other problems that could have drawn the attention of the NYPD.
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 III and his brother’s home in Hamilton Heights. Chancellor of Schools David Banksand his partner, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. All three had their phones confiscated. 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.
