Mayor Eric Adams surrendered to federal authorities Friday ahead of a scheduled appearance before a Manhattan federal judge. It came a day after a historic indictment charging a decade-long pattern of corruption.
Hiesner, the first sitting New York mayor to be indicted, was scheduled to make his first appearance in Manhattan federal court at noon on charges of accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals in exchange for favors.
He is expected to plead not guilty.
A stone-faced Ms. Adams gave a thumbs up but said nothing as she emerged from the motorcade and headed to the courthouse just before 9 a.m.
A historic five-count indictment unsealed Thursday alleges the heavily criticized Democrat received numerous improper gifts, including $123,000 in free hotel nights and free or deeply discounted airline tickets. accused of receiving money from Turkish officials and businessmen.
Federal prosecutors allege he also fraudulently obtained $10 million in campaign funds.
In return, according to the indictment, Adams allegedly offered favors to patrons, including pressuring Big Apple officials to waive fire inspections and push for approval of the vast Turkish consulate in Manhattan. There is.
His surrender came after the mayor's attorney, Alex Spiro, asked the court to postpone the mayor's arraignment until at least Monday. The main reason was to reduce the number of times the mayor had to go to court in Lower Manhattan.
Judge Katherine Parker did not immediately respond to the request.
The mayor of Brooklyn, who has been charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery in a scheme that allegedly dates back to his time as borough president, maintains his innocence.
Adams said Thursday that he has no intention of resigning and intends to fight the charges.
“From now on, my lawyer will be in charge of the case, so I can take care of the city,” he said at a news conference in front of Gracie's residence.
| year | destination | advantage | value | Was it disclosed? |
| 2016 | India (via Türkiye) | Complimentary Business Class Upgrade for 2 people on round-trip flights from New York to India | $12,000 | no |
| 2017 | France, Türkiye, China | Complimentary round-trip business class flights for three people from New York to France, Türkiye and China. Greatly discounted stays at the Bentley Suites at The St. Regis Istanbul | Over $41,000 | no |
| 2017 | China (via Türkiye) | Free round-trip business class airfare for 2 people from New York to China | Over $16,000 | no |
| 2018 | Hungary (via Türkiye) | Complimentary upgrade to business class for 2 people on round-trip flights from New York to Hungary | Over $12,000 | no |
| 2019 | turkey | One passenger gets a free upgrade to business class on flights from New York to Türkiye. Free night stay in a Cosmopolitan Suite at The St. Regis Istanbul. Free meals, transportation and entertainment in Istanbul | Over $9,000 | no |
| 2021 | Türkiye (requested and accepted, then canceled) | Complimentary business class upgrades for up to two passengers on round-trip flights from New York to Türkiye. Free or deeply discounted stays, transportation, entertainment, and meals at luxury hotels and resorts | Over $21,000 | no |
| 2021 | Ghana (via Türkiye) | Complimentary upgrade to Business Class for 2 people on round-trip flights from New York to Ghana. Free meals and transportation during your Istanbul layover | $12,000 or more | no |
“It's a disappointing day. And it's a painful day. But in the midst of it all, there's a day when it finally becomes clear why I've been going through this for 10 months. I look forward to protecting it.”
Hours earlier, Adams had claimed that federal authorities were targeting him for speaking out about the worsening immigration crisis in the Big Apple.
His lawyer, Alex Spiro, argued that it is neither unusual nor inappropriate for government officials to receive travel benefits.
He argued that the travel benefits and seat upgrades Hitzoner accepted were typically given to VIPs and members of Congress.
Stay up to date on the New York Post's coverage of the indictment of Mayor Eric Adams
“That's the airline's job,” Spiro told reporters, adding that many of the charges relate to trips Adams took several years ago when he was mayor.
Still, calls for the mayor to resign have continued since news of the grand jury indictment first broke, even though Adams and his attorneys vowed to fight the case.
If Adams is convicted on all five counts, he could face up to 45 years in prison.
Additional reporting by David Propper
