New York City Mayor Eric Adams has declared that he will remain in office, despite reports of his indictment following a federal corruption investigation. While the specific charges Adams may face remain unclear, federal prosecutors are expected to provide further details on Thursday, according to a report by the New York Times.
This would make Adams, 64, the first sitting mayor of New York City to face criminal charges, as separately reported by the Associated Press and CBS. After the news surfaced, Adams released a video statement implying that he had not been notified of the indictment. “I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target – and a target I became,” Adams said. “If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
In the recorded message from his official residence, Adams acknowledged that some New Yorkers may question his ability to lead the city while fighting the charges but emphasized that he has no plans to step down. “I have been facing these lies for months … yet the city has continued to improve,” Adams added. “Make no mistake. You elected me to lead this city, and lead it I will.”
Avi Small, a spokesperson for New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the authority to remove Adams from office, said in a statement that the governor is aware of the situation and is monitoring developments closely. “It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement,” Small noted.
The news of Adams’ potential indictment comes as some of his closest aides and advisers have come under federal scrutiny. Prosecutors in New York have been investigating Adams’ inner circle for months. Less than a month ago, federal agents conducted raids on the homes of high-ranking officials within Adams’ administration, seizing devices, including from the New York City Police Department commissioner.
Police have since erected barriers outside Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence. According to the New York Post, City Hall officials were informed on Wednesday morning about the pending indictment, sparking panic among the staff throughout the day.
The US Attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment on the case.
Adams, facing a tough primary election next year, has already encountered immediate calls for resignation from several of his political opponents. City Comptroller Brad Lander described the indictment as “a sad day for New Yorkers,” while State Senator Zellnor Myrie echoed the sentiment, calling it “especially painful for so many Black New Yorkers who put our hope and faith in this mayor.”
Former City Comptroller Scott Stringer, who is expected to run against Adams in the upcoming election, stated that Adams should step down. “The mayor needs to resign for the good of the city,” Stringer said. “There is simply zero chance that the wheels of government will move forward from this full steam ahead.”
Should Adams resign, the city’s public advocate, Jumaane Williams, would temporarily assume the mayoral position and schedule a special election.
Federal investigations into Adams’ administration were first publicly revealed on November 2, 2023, when FBI agents raided the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, Adams’ chief fundraiser. At that time, Adams maintained that he had adhered to the law, stating, “I cannot tell you how much I start the day with telling my team we’ve got to follow the law,” while also expressing shock that anyone within his campaign could have acted illegally.
Shortly afterward, FBI agents confiscated Adams’ phones and iPad as he was leaving an event in Manhattan, though this was not disclosed until several days later by his attorney. On September 4, federal investigators expanded the probe, seizing electronic devices from multiple senior figures in Adams’ administration, including the police commissioner, schools chancellor, deputy mayor of public safety, and first deputy mayor.
Although federal prosecutors have not provided public comments on the nature of these investigations, individuals familiar with the inquiry have indicated that it involves multiple cases concerning senior aides, campaign fundraising, and potential influence peddling in the police and fire departments.
