New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty in a crowded courtroom on Sept. 27 after being indicted for allegedly accepting illegal campaign contributions, among other things.
“I am not guilty, your honor,” he told U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker after she described the charges against him.
He faces up to 20 years in prison from the five-count indictment, which includes wire fraud, bribery, and conspiracy.
“Let me be clear, I know I’ve done nothing wrong, and I am committed to continuing to fight on behalf of New Yorkers as your mayor,” he said on X.
“From here, my attorneys will take care of the case so I can take care of this city.”
Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the indictment on Sept. 26.
In a statement, he said: “By allegedly taking improper and illegal benefits from foreign nationals—including to allow a Manhattan skyscraper to open without a fire inspection—Adams put the interests of his benefactors, including a foreign official, above those of his constituents.”
“This Office and our partners at the FBI and DOI will continue to pursue corruption anywhere in this City, especially when that corruption takes the form of illegal foreign influence on our democratic system,” he added.
The indictment centers on Adams allegedly receiving improper gifts from Turkish officials and businesspeople in return for favors.
Among other things, prosecutors say Adams received free and steeply discounted flight upgrades valued at more than $100,000, free stays in opulent hotel suites and expensive meals, as well as campaign contributions from straw donors, some of which helped him qualify for more than $10 million in matching public campaign funds.
Adams’s attorney, Alex Spiro, said it was neither unusual nor improper for a government official to accept some travel perks.
According to Spiro, Adams reached an agreement for release on the condition that he not contact any witnesses or individuals in the indictment.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has not joined others in calling for Adams’s resignation.
“We must give New Yorkers confidence that there is steady, responsible leadership at every level of government.”
Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) have called for Adams’s resignation.
