New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrived in Manhattan federal court on Friday to surrender to authorities after federal prosecutors announced five counts of fraud, bribery and corruption charges.
Adams' attorney said the FBI seized Adams' cell phone Thursday before the charges were made public, but he was not immediately taken into custody.
The 64-year-old mayor is accused of soliciting illegal campaign contributions from foreign entities and falsifying a paper trail to conceal them, according to a 57-page indictment unsealed Thursday. As part of the conspiracy, he is alleged to have defrauded taxpayers of $10 million over the past decade, often taking free or deeply discounted vacations funded by foreign sponsors.
Federal authorities seize Eric Adams' cell phone after New York mayor indicts him
New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears in federal court in New York City on Friday, September 27, 2024. Adams was indicted following a campaign corruption investigation. (Umar Abbasi, Fox News Digital)
Adams fired back in a video statement, calling any accusations against him “absolutely false and based on lies,” and suggesting he was targeted in retaliation for his criticism of the Biden administration's disastrous border policies.
“The federal government did nothing because broken immigration policies overloaded the shelter system with no relief,” he said in a video statement. “I put the people of New York over political parties and politics.”
New York City police officers stand outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Thursday, September 26, 2024, in New York City. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Investigators at a press conference Thursday denied claims that the incident was political retaliation.
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Mr. Adams later held a press conference with prominent supporters, urging the public to allow due process to take place. The hecklers interrupted with megaphones.
The mayor has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bribery, one count of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit bribery, one count of wire fraud, two counts of soliciting campaign funds from a foreign national, and one count of soliciting and receiving bribes. .
Interior view of a Turkish hotel suite provided by the SDNY as part of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' indictment. (USAO-SDNY)
If convicted on all charges, he could face up to 45 years in prison.
This is a developing story. Please check the latest information.
