NYC Mayor Eric Adams accused of bribery and wire fraud in scheme spanning nearly a decade.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted in a corruption scheme where he allegedly received over $100,000 in free plane tickets and luxury hotel stays from wealthy Turkish nationals and a government official in exchange for favors. The scheme began when Adams was Brooklyn borough president and continued into his successful mayoral campaign. Adams faces five charges, including bribery and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, making him the first sitting NYC mayor to be indicted. Despite calls for his resignation from some politicians, Adams vowed to fight the charges and remain as mayor. The indictment details how Adams received illegal campaign contributions and free travel benefits from Turkish nationals, using U.S. citizens to disguise the foreign money. The charges include instances where Adams pressured the New York Fire Department to allow a Turkish consulate building to open despite safety concerns. The investigation is ongoing, and federal prosecutors say they will hold more people accountable. The indictment also reveals conversations between Adams and his foreign benefactors, where they celebrated his election victory, indicating plans for leveraging his position for their country’s lobby. The FBI’s actions in seizing Adams’ electronic devices suggest that the investigation is ongoing and that more developments are expected. Adams’ lawyer accused the FBI of trying to create a spectacle with the seizure of his phone, but the FBI did not comment on the matter.

Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com