New York City Mayor Eric Adams makes his court appearance, confronting allegations of federal bribery, wire fraud, and additional charges.
Mayor Adams, a Democrat who won office in 2021, is under investigation for bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from non-American citizens. On Friday, prior to his scheduled court appearance, he appeared at a federal courthouse.
The mayor denies any wrongdoing and has no intention of resigning.
On Thursday, he expressed confidence in clearing himself and upholding his duty to the city's residents, as he has done throughout his career.
What the mayor is being accused of
Between 2016 and 2023, the mayor reportedly received luxurious trips, free hotel stays, and campaign contributions from international businessmen, as per a 57-page, 15,000-word indictment.
He is accused of engaging in 23 different actions, such as receiving free flights and hotel rooms, and coordinating donations through intermediaries.
Prosecutors claim the foreign nationals successfully skirted federal laws by using American donors to conceal their campaign donations, which the mayor accepted without disclosing.
In 2017, the mayor allegedly accepted business-class airline tickets for three round-trip international journeys and a discounted stay at the St. Regis Istanbul's luxurious suite. The trip valued over $41,000, and the mayor failed to report it, as per the indictment.
The mayor is accused of receiving over $123,000 worth of extravagant travel benefits between 2016 and 2021 without disclosing anything.
By 2018, the mayor not only accepted but actively sought illegal contributions and gifts from foreign nationals for his 2021 campaign and other benefits, according to the indictment.
By January 2022, he consented to accepting foreign funding for his 2025 campaign, as per the allegations.
Potential penalties he might face
If found guilty, the mayor could face up to 45 years in prison, as per the US Attorney’s Office.
The most severe charge - wire fraud - carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. This charge stems from claims that the mayor misused New York City's matching funds program, which is designed to give citizens a greater voice in elections. It forbids straw donations and requires candidates to confirm compliance with campaign finance regulations.
The program allocation, according to the indictment, allowed the mayor to illegally collect matching funds for each illegal contribution using eight straw donations. His campaign then falsely testified to compliance, as per the indictment.
The indictment does not specify the exact amount of matching public funds the mayor allegedly received from the straw donations. The mayor's 2021 campaign ultimately received over $10 million in public funds from the city's matching funds program, according to the indictment.
Bribery carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This charge pertains to a supposed quid pro quo agreement involving receiving luxury travel benefits from a Turkish official in exchange for advocating for the Turkish House's approval - a diplomatic center in New York City, according to the indictment.
The two charges of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals each carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. One of the charges bases its allegations on events in 2021, while the other relies on claims from 2023.
Finally, there is a conspiracy charge, which carries a maximum prison term of 5 years. This charge alleges the mayor and others conspired to commit federal offenses, including wire fraud, soliciting and receiving illegal campaign contributions, and bribery. The indictment lists 23 specific actions as evidence of this conspiracy.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
CNN's Nicki Brown contributed to this report.
The mayor firmly believes in his innocence and intends to fight these allegations, stating that he will uphold his responsibilities to the city's residents.
Regardless of the outcome, if convicted, Mayor Adams could face a significant prison sentence, with the most severe charge of wire fraud carrying up to 20 years.
