NYC Mayor Eric Adams charged with bribery and fraud charges

NEW YORK – Mayor Eric Adams was charged with bribery and fraud in an indictment unsealed Thursday following a months-long federal investigation into whether his campaign illegally conspired with Turkish entities to collect foreign donations.

Adams is the first NYC mayor to face criminal charges while serving in office.

Driving the news: Adams was indicted on five counts, including two counts of solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national.

Adams is facing up to 45 years in prison if convicted on all counts and given the maximum sentence, the DOJ said in a press release .

The mayor is also accused of intervening in New York City Fire Department procedures to benefit foreign interests. In one instance, Adams allegedly pressured fire inspectors to approve the opening of a Turkish consulate building despite safety concerns, all in exchange for personal favors.

The indictment alleges Adams sought and accepted benefits from wealthy foreign individuals and at least one Turkish government official dating back to his tenure as Brooklyn Borough president.

By 2018, he was planning to run for mayor of New York City — and began accepting illegal campaign contributions, per the indictment.

Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a Thursday press conference that Adams engaged in “a grave breach of the public’s trust.”

He continued: “These are bright red lines, and we allege that the mayor crossed them again and again for years.”

The indictment also alleges Adams and his companions received free or discounted travel on Turkish Airlines — a perk arranged by a senior Turkish official who also facilitated several straw donations.

Adams also allegedly received free hotel rooms, meals and entertainment while in Turkey.

Adams sought over $100,000 in luxury travel benefits dating back to 2016, Williams said.