US
New York Mayor Eric Adams indicted amid federal criminal investigations
New York Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted amid federal criminal investigations into his administration.
He is expected to be formally charged later today, although it is currently unclear what charge or charges he is facing as the indictment remains sealed.
It comes as the FBI investigates the running of America’s biggest city and a string of unexpected departures of top officials.
Early this month, agents seized devices from multiple top members of the Adams administration as part of what appears to be multiple, separate investigations.
Among the devices taken were those of New York police commissioner, Edward Caban – who resigned shortly after – and his twin brother.
New York police boss Edward Caban resigned soon after his devices were seized. Pic: Reuters
Agents also seized devices from the head of New York City‘s public schools system, David Banks, who announced on Tuesday he planned to retire by the end of the year.
The mayor’s top legal adviser, Lisa Zornberg, who had defended him at news conferences, resigned this month, saying in a brief letter: “I can no longer effectively serve in my position.”
Mr Adams himself had his phones seized by the FBI in November.
In a statement, he said: “I always knew that If I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target – and a target I became.
“If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
He said any charges would be “entirely false, based on lies” and that he does not plan to resign.
The mayor’s top legal adviser, Lisa Zornberg, also resigned this month. Pic: Reuters
The Democrat and former police captain won election nearly three years ago to become the second Black mayor of New York on a platform that promised a law-and-order approach to reducing crime.
He spent 22 years in the city’s police department before going into politics, first as a state senator and then as Brooklyn borough president.
But for much of the last year, Mr Adams has faced growing legal peril, with investigations into top advisers producing multiple subpoenas, searches and high-level departures.
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Prosecutors also subpoenaed the mayor, his campaign arm and City Hall over the summer to request information on his schedule, overseas travel and potential connections to the Turkish government.
In recent days, several senior Democrats have called for Mr Adams to step down.
The mayor has repeatedly said he wasn’t aware of any wrongdoing and previously dismissed speculation he would face charges as “rumours and innuendo”.
“The people of this city elected me to fight for them, and I will stay and fight no matter what,” Mr Adams said on Wednesday afternoon.
New York state governor Kathy Hochul could remove Mr Adams, but her office has so far not commented on the indictment.