New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted, sources say

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal charges that are still sealed, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The charges against Adams, a Democrat, were still sealed late Wednesday, according to the people, who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.

The indictment was first reported by The New York Times.

The US attorney's office in Manhattan declined to comment.

“I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became,” Adams said in a statement.

“If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”

The indictment marks a stunning fall for Adams, a Democrat and former police captain who won election nearly three years ago to become the second black mayor of the nation's largest city on a platform that promised a law-and-order approach to reducing crime.

For much of the last year, Adams has faced growing legal peril, with multiple federal investigations into top advisers producing a drumbeat of subpoenas, searches and high-level departures that has thrust City Hall into crisis.

He had repeatedly said he wasn't aware of any wrongdoing, dismissing speculation that he would face charges as “rumours and innuendo,” and vowing as recently as Wednesday afternoon to stay in office.

“The people of this city elected me to fight for them, and I will stay and fight no matter what,” Adams said.

The federal investigations into his administration first emerged publicly on November 2, 2023, when FBI agents conducted an early morning raid on the Brooklyn home of Adams' chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs.

At the time, Adams insisted he followed the law and said he would be “shocked” if anyone on his campaign had acted illegally.

“I cannot tell you how much I start the day with telling my team we've got to follow the law,” he told reporters at the time.

Days later, FBI agents seized the mayor's phones and iPad as he was leaving an event in Manhattan. The interaction was disclosed several days later by the mayor's attorney.

Then on September 4, federal investigators seized electronic devices from the city's police commissioner, schools chancellor, deputy mayor of public safety, first deputy mayor and other trusted confidantes of Adams both in and out of City Hall.

Federal prosecutors declined to discuss the investigations but people familiar with elements of the cases described multiple, separate inquiries involving senior Adams aides, relatives of those aides, campaign fundraising and possible influence peddling of the police and fire departments.

A week after the searches, Police Commissioner Edward Caban announced his resignation, telling officers that he didn't want the investigations “to create a distraction.” About two weeks later, Schools Chancellor David Banks announced that he would retire at the end of the year.

Adams himself insisted he would keep doing the city's business and allow the investigations to run their course.

Over the summer, federal prosecutors subpoenaed Adams, his campaign arm and City Hall, requesting information about the mayor's schedule, his overseas travel and potential connections to the Turkish government.

Adams spent 22 years in New York City's police department before going into politics, first as a state senator and then as Brooklyn borough president, a largely ceremonial position.

He was elected mayor in 2021, defeating a diverse field of Democrats in the primary and then easily beating Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, a Republican, in the general election.

After more than two years in office, Adams' popularity has declined. While the city has seen an increase in jobs and a drop in certain categories of crime, the administration has been preoccupied with efforts to find housing for tens of thousands of international migrants who overwhelmed the city's homeless shelters.

There has also been a steady drip of accusations and a swirl of suspicion around people close to the mayor.

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