Nearly a dozen suited-up federal agents arrived at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Eric Adams, early Thursday and searched his residence, just hours after Hizzoner became the first New York City mayor to be indicted in a federal investigation.
Shortly before 6 a.m., men and women dressed in business suits and carrying briefcases and large bags filed into the mansion.
At least two SUVs seen at the residence had “Federal Law Enforcement” parking permits on their dashboards.
Another black SUV was seen entering the compound under cover of darkness, appearing to be a prisoner transport vehicle, with a clearly visible steel partition separating the front and back seats, photos taken by The Washington Post showed.
NYPD quickly set up barricades outside the mayor's residence late Wednesday after news broke that Adams had been indicted by a grand jury on charges related to the federal investigation.
The first indictment against a sitting New York City mayor is expected to be unsealed Thursday by U.S. Attorney Damien Williams for the Southern District of New York, according to sources.
Despite the presence of police outside Gracie Mansion, Adams is not expected to turn himself in to authorities until early next week, the officials added.
Details of the landmark indictment were still unclear as of early Thursday, but sources said it is believed to be related to allegations that the Turkish government illegally diverted funds to his mayoral campaign in exchange for approval of the Turkish consulate in Manhattan.
Meanwhile, a defiant Adams, who has long denied any wrongdoing, made it clear he wasn't going anywhere. “I always knew that if I stood up for the people of New York, I would be a target. And I became a target,” he said.
“If charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with all my might and all my heart.”
Adams later added in a video statement that he had no plans to resign and vowed to “fight these injustices with all my heart and soul.”
“I call for immediate justice so the people of New York can hear the truth. The people of New York know my story, they know where I come from, and I have fought injustice my whole life,” he continued.
“As Mayor, that fight continues. Despite our pleas, the federal government has done nothing to help, with its flawed immigration policies straining our shelter system and providing no relief, so I have put the people of New York above party and politics.”
Representatives for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, which is prosecuting the case, have so far declined to comment on the indictment.
