NYC Mayor Adams Indicted: Fraud, Bribery Charges Unveiled

Eric Adams speaks to the press outside his official residence

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been hit with five charges related to improper campaign contributions, as revealed in a comprehensive indictment made public Thursday morning.

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"ERIC ADAMS, the accused, pursued and accepted unlawful campaign donations in the form of 'nominee' or 'straw' contributions, meaning that the actual donors passed their money through nominal contributors, who falsely certified they were giving their own funds," the indictment declares.

"As a consequence of those false certifications, ADAMS's 2021 mayoral campaign received in excess of $10,000,000 in public funds," the indictment claims.

Eric Adams speaks to the press outside his official residence

Adams is facing one count of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy, two counts of soliciting a contribution from a foreign national and one count of bribery, according to the indictment, charges that could result in significant jail time if he's found guilty.

Prosecutors allege Adams accepted over $100,000 in improper benefits, none of which were publicly disclosed as required.

Adams spoke to the media shortly after the indictment was made public, asserting his innocence and pledging to contest the charges.

"I urge New Yorkers to hear our defense before forming any opinions," he stated at the press conference, which was disrupted by some hecklers.

Adams promised to continue performing his duties.

"My daily routine will not change," he stated.

Adams spoke surrounded by supporters and later fielded questions from reporters.

"Anyone who knows me knows I adhere to campaign rules and I follow the law," he said.

Adams' attorney, Alex Spiro, said in a statement: "We've known for some time that they would attempt to find a way to bring a case against Mayor Adams. Yesterday -- more inappropriate leaks. Today -- they emailed us a summons (and created the spectacle of a fake raid). And very soon they will undoubtedly hold an hour-long dog-and-pony show press conference rather than appear in open court."

He added, "Federal judges call them out frequently for spinning in front of the cameras and influencing jurors. But they keep doing it because they can't help themselves, the limelight is just too enticing. We will face them in court."

Adams is the first sitting New York City mayor to ever face charges.

Many of the allegations relate to Adams' connections with wealthy foreign businesspeople and Turkish officials.

The alleged behavior predates Adams' time as mayor, when he served as Brooklyn borough president, through his campaign for mayor and during his time in office.

"In 2014, ERIC ADAMS, the accused, became Brooklyn Borough President," the indictment begins. "Subsequently, for nearly a decade, ADAMS sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him."

"By 2018, ADAMS-who had by then made known his intentions to run for Mayor of New York City-not only accepted, but sought illegal campaign contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign, as well as other items of value, from foreign nationals," it continued. "As ADAMS's prominence and power increased, his foreign-national benefactors sought to capitalize on their corrupt relationships with him, particularly when, in 2021, it became apparent that ADAMS would become New York City's mayor."

It went on, "ADAMS agreed, providing preferential treatment in exchange for the illicit benefits he received. After his inauguration as Mayor of New York City, ADAMS soon began preparing for his next election, including by planning to solicit more illegal contributions and granting requests from those who supported his 2021 mayoral campaign with such donations."

Federal agents seized the mayor's phone Thursday morning, Spiro informed ABC News.

"He has not been arrested and looks forward to his day in court," Spiro said, "They send a dozen agents to collect a phone when we would have gladly handed it over."

Adams called the accusations "completely false" in a recorded speech addressed to New Yorkers on Wednesday night and said he would fight the indictment with "every bit of my strength and my spirit." He also said he would not step down as mayor.

"I always knew that If I stood firm for all of you that I would become a target -- and a target I became," Adams said.