The indictment, unsealed on Thursday, follows an investigation launched in 2021 and presents allegations of nearly a decade of corruption. Adams is now the first sitting New York City mayor to face federal indictment. Prosecutors allege that since becoming Brooklyn Borough President in 2014, Adams solicited and accepted improper benefits in exchange for political favors. These alleged benefits include luxury international travel provided by wealthy foreign businesspeople and Turkish government officials. The indictment claims that Adams “solicited and knowingly accepted illegal campaign contributions” from those foreign nationals. Prosecutors assert that as Adams’ political influence grew — particularly after it became clear he would win the mayoral race — foreign financiers “sought to cash in on their corrupt relationships with him.” Adams is accused of accepting illegal contributions via American “straw” donors, a tactic used to help wealthy individuals evade campaign finance limits. New York City businesses allegedly bypassed the city’s ban on corporate donations by funneling contributions through multiple employees, according to the indictment. Prosecutors further allege that Adams took advantage of the city's matching funds program, which is designed to amplify small-dollar donations by providing up to eight times their amount in public funds. This program, intended to support grassroots campaigns, was allegedly misused by Adams’s campaign to compound the money brought in through straw donations. Adams’ campaigns applied for matching funds, while falsely certifying compliance with campaign finance regulations, allowing Adams to receive more than $10 million in public funds. The indictment also details how a Turkish official, who facilitated numerous straw donations, arranged free or heavily discounted travel for Adams on Turkish Airlines, which is largely owned by the Turkish government. Prosecutors allege that Turkish nationals provided Adams and his associates with luxury hotel stays, fine dining, and other lavish perks during trips to Turkey, beginning in 2015. In September 2021, the Turkish official told Adams it was his turn to repay Turkey by pressuring the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) to allow the opening of a new Turkish consular building — a 36-story skyscraper — without a fire inspection, in time for a visit from Turkey’s president. “Adams did as instructed,” the indictment states. As a result, the FDNY official responsible for the inspection was told he would lose his job if he failed to waive the inspection. After Adams intervened, the consulate was opened, as requested by the Turkish official. Prosecutors claim Adams took deliberate steps to conceal these financial benefits from public scrutiny, including paying a small fee to create the appearance of having paid for travel that was heavily discounted. One example cited is a two-night stay in the Bentley Suite at the St. Regis Istanbul, which would have cost approximately $7,000; Adams allegedly paid less than $600. The indictment also includes communications between Adams’s staff and third parties coordinating the arrangements to obscure the financial benefits. In one instance, a staffer allegedly told an airline manager, “We don’t want them to say he is flying for free. The media’s attention is on Eric right now.” Additionally, the indictment says Adams “created and directed others to create fake paper trails” to make it appear as though he paid for travel benefits that were free. Prosecutors also allege he engaged in a pattern of deleting messages to hide evidence of his misconduct. Adams has denied all allegations. In a press conference held the day before the indictment was unsealed, he claimed that the charges were politically motivated, accusing the Biden administration of targeting him due to his criticism of the handling of the migrant crisis.Mayor Eric Adams of New York City has been indicted by a grand jury on five federal charges, including bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations.
