New York City Mayor Eric Adams (Democrat) has been indicted by a grand jury on federal criminal charges.
The indictment has not been made public, but two people familiar with the matter confirmed to The Associated Press that Adams has been charged.
The news comes after a series of federal investigations into Adams and several of his associates, and a host of other questions surrounding the major.
The New York Times It was the first to report the indictment.
“I knew that standing up for the people of New York would make me a target, and I have,” Adams said in a statement. “If charged, I am innocent and will fight the charges with all my heart and soul.”
The indictment comes just over a month before the presidential, House and Senate elections, with New York state at the center of the House majority race and six districts expected to be hotly contested.
The Hill reached out to Adams' press office, but a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.
It is unclear what charges Adams faces or when he will appear in court. Adams is up for re-election next year.
In a recorded speech from his official residence, Adams acknowledged that some New Yorkers would question his ability to run the city while he fights the charges, but vowed to remain in office.
“I have faced these lies for months, and our city continues to improve,” Adams said. “Make no mistake: You elected me to lead this city, and I will continue to lead.”
Earlier this month, FBI agents searched the homes of several of Adams' deputies. Adams was also searched by the FBI earlier this year as part of an investigation by the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney's Office.
New York City Superintendent of Education David Banks submitted his resignation earlier this week after federal agents seized his cell phone earlier this month.Associated PressReported.
Earlier this month, New York City Police Commissioner Edward Cavan also resigned, about a week after the FBI seized his equipment.
The mayor has faced calls for him to resign, including one from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) on Wednesday.
“I do not know how Mayor Adams can continue to govern New York City. The proliferation of resignations and vacancies threatens to undermine the functioning of our government. The constant investigations make it impossible to recruit and retain a competent executive branch,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a post Wednesday.Social Platform X.
But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, R-N.Y., defended Adams on Wednesday morning.
“As far as I know, Mayor Adams is doing the best he can to stay focused on meeting the needs of New York City residents in one of the most difficult jobs in the world,” Jeffries said.
As the controversy grows and pressure mounts, Adams continues to maintain his innocence.
The president has repeatedly said he is unaware of any wrongdoing and vowed Wednesday afternoon to remain in his job.
Adams would be the first mayor in New York City history to be indicted while in office, and if he resigns, he will be replaced by city public defender Jumaane Williams, who would then call a special election.
Gov. Kathy Hokel (D) has the power to fire Adams. Hokel's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.
The federal investigation into the Adams administration first became public on Nov. 2, 2023, when FBI agents conducted an early morning search of the Brooklyn home of Adams' fundraising chief, Brianna Suggs.
Adams maintained at the time that he followed the law and said he would be “shocked” if anyone working for his campaign had engaged in illegal conduct. “I can't tell you how much I tell my team at the start of the day that they have to follow the law,” he told reporters at the time.
A few days later, FBI agents seized the mayor's phone and iPad as he left a Manhattan event, and the transactions were made public by the mayor's lawyers days later.
Then on September 4, federal agents seized electronic devices from the city's police chief, superintendent, deputy mayor for public safety, first deputy mayor and other top aides to Adams both inside and outside City Hall.
Federal prosecutors declined to comment on the investigation, but people familiar with the matter described several separate investigations into senior aides to Adams and their relatives, campaign fundraising and possible attempts to influence police and fire departments.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
