Updated as of 9/27/24 at 1:00 p.m. ET
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams has entered a not guilty plea to the five federal felonies he was indicted on Thursday.
During the Friday arraignment, Adams was ordered by Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker not to discuss the case with any witnesses and was released on his own recognizance, per The New York Times. He was also able to retain his passport.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said she carefully reviewed the indictment but stated it is now up to Adams to “show the City that he is able to lead,” per her statement. While she has the power to remove him from power, she did not call him to resign.
Next week, Adams’ attorney Alex Spiro is expected back in court to argue a motion to dismiss the charges.
Thursday, federal prosecutors just unsealed the indictment filed against Mayor Adams. He’s is facing a five-count indictment featuring charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals, wire fraud, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national and bribery.
In response to the charges which he was notified of Wednesday evening, Adams said, “I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
Federal prosecutors brought forth this indictment following a probe into the mayor’s suspicious relations with the Turkish government.
“As Adams’ prominence and power grew, his foreign-national benefactors sought to cash in on their corrupt relationships with him, particularly when, in 2021, it became clear that Adams would become New York City’s mayor. Adams agreed, providing favorable treatment in exchange for the illicit benefits he received,” read the indictment.
That “favorable treatment” included a discounted stay at the St. Regis Istanbul from a businesswoman who “sought to ingratiate herself” with the then-Brooklyn mayor in 2017 - which he failed to disclose, the indictment claims.
The Feds also claimed Adams and his companions received discounted and free travel on Turkish Airlines and free stays at luxury hotels from a senior Turkish diplomat who facilitated straw donations to Adams. With those straw contributions, Adams was accused of using them to defraud the city and steal public funds by fraudulently applying for matching fund through the city’s program: $10 million to be exact.
The indictment also claims Adams was pressured to “repay” the senior official who granted him favors by convincing the New York City Fire Department to facilitate the opening of a 36-story Turkish consular skyscraper without a fire inspection.
The indictment comes after FBI agents raided Adams’ home and seized his phone in connection to the probe into the alleged illegal Turkish relations. In a press conference Thursday, Adams yet again denied any wrongdoing.
“It’s an unfortunate day. And it’s a painful day … But inside all of that is a day when we will finally reveal why, for 10 months, I’ve gone through this. And I look forward to defending myself,” said the mayor. “Everyone who knows me knows that I follow campaign rules and I follow the law.”
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