NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on federal charges, the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to do so.
The indictment was unsealed Thursday morning, and the Southern District of New York Attorney General’s Office is expected to discuss more details at 11:30 a.m.
The allegations arise from various investigations underway surrounding the mayor and members of his administrationincluded an extended probe in his dealings with various foreign governments.
Adams responded with a recorded video message wednesday eveningand said in part: “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 my stand before all of you, I would be a target, and a target I have been for months, leaks and rumors have been directed at me in an attempt to undermine my credibility and paint me as guilty.”
According to sources, the mayor could appear in court as early as Thursday to answer the charges.
“Federal agents showed up at Gracie Mansion this morning in an attempt to create a spectacle (again) and confiscate Mayor Adams’ cell phone (again). He has not been arrested and is looking forward to his day in court,” Adams’ attorney Alex Spiro said in a statement Thursday morning. “They sent a dozen agents to retrieve a phone when we would have happily surrendered it.”
Watch live coverage of the developments on CBS News New York in the video player above.
Increasing calls for Adams to resign
Since news of the charges broke, there has been a avalanche of calls for the mayor to resign. Many of the voices come from members of his own political partyincluding those who plan to run against him in next year’s Democratic primary.
Brad Lander, the current city controller who is participating in the mayoral electionssaid, among other things, that Adams is entitled to a fair trial, “but it is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges requires significant time and attention… The most appropriate path forward is for him to resign.”
Several New York City council members, including Robert Holden, Tiffany Caban and Sandy Nurse, issued similar statements, expressing doubts that Adams can continue to govern the city. Tiffany Caban, who called on the mayor to resign a week ago, wrote: “He is incapable of effectively leading and governing. While he awaits his right to due process, he must resign.”
Earlier this week, Adams was asked if he would resign. He rejected the idea outright and said he looked forward to running for re-election.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has the ability to remove Adams from officeMarcia Kramer, a political reporter for CBS News New York, says there will be pressure on the governor to do this because the mayor has a lot of positions to fill due to recent layoffs, and filling those positions could be difficult under the current circumstances.
A spokesperson for the governor said Wednesday night that she is aware of the reports and is closely monitoring the situation, but that it would be “premature to comment further until the matter has been confirmed by law enforcement.”
If Adams were to resign or be removed by the governor, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would take over as interim. He would have three days to call a special election, which would have to be held within 80 days.
What Did Eric Adams Do? Here’s What Researchers Are Looking At
The federal authorities are investigation into donations to Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign of people who are connected to the Turkish governmentSources say that a new round of subpoenas delivered to Adams’ attorneys in July sought information about his business dealings with Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea and Uzbekistan.
Other federal investigations include former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, who has since resignedas well as Deputy Mayor Philip Banks III, his brother Chancellor of Schools David Banksand David’s partner, Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.
The School Chancellor announced earlier this week that he is retiring at the end of the year, but he insists he told Adams about his retirement before the investigation.
Banks and Adams appeared together on Wednesday at announce new schools chancellor, Melissa Aviles-Ramos.
Below is a closer look at what we know about who’s who in the various studies.
Marcia Kramer contributed to this report.
Natalie Duddridge
