New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicted, sources say

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted by a grand jury on a federal criminal complaint, according to two people familiar with the matter, an extraordinary culmination of weeks of investigations, subpoenas and the resignation of top officials that have plunged city government into crisis.

An indictment detailing the charges against Adams, a Democrat, is expected to be unsealed Thursday, according to the people, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan declined to comment.

In a recorded speech from the White House, Adams said any charges he may face were “completely false and based on lies” and said he would remain in his job.

“I always knew that standing up for you would make me a target, and I have,” Adams said. “I will fight these injustices with every fiber of my being and every fiber of my being.”

It was not immediately clear what laws Adams is alleged to have violated or when he might have to appear in court.

Federal agents seized Adams' electronic devices nearly a year ago as part of an investigation focused, at least in part, on campaign finances and Adams' ties to the Turkish government. The charges were not made public, so it is unclear whether the investigation covered the same issues.

The indictment, first reported by The New York Times, marks a stunning turn of events for Adams, a former police chief who became the second black mayor of America's largest city when he was elected nearly three years ago on a platform of law-and-order policies aimed at reducing crime.

Adams has faced growing legal peril for much of the last year with multiple federal investigations into his top advisers, and in the past two weeks alone, leaders he appointed to oversee the nation's largest police department and largest school system announced their resignations.

Adams would be the first mayor in New York City history to be indicted while in office, and if he resigns, he will be replaced by city public defender Jumaane Williams, who would then call a special election.

Gov. Kathy Hawkle has the power to fire Adams. Hawkle's spokesman, Avi Small, released a statement late Wednesday saying, “Governor Hawkle is aware of these concerning reports and is monitoring the situation. Until the facts are verified by law enforcement, it is premature to comment further.”

The indictment came against the backdrop of the United Nations General Assembly, which convened dozens of world leaders in New York, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The federal investigation into the Adams administration first became public on Nov. 2, 2023, when FBI agents conducted an early morning search of the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, Adams' fundraising chief.

At the time, Mayor Adams maintained he was following the law and said he would be “shocked” if campaign officials were engaging in illegal conduct. Days later, FBI agents seized the mayor's phone and iPad as he left an event in Manhattan.

Then on September 4, federal agents seized electronic devices from the city's police chief, superintendent, deputy mayor for public safety, first deputy mayor and other top aides to Adams both inside and outside City Hall.

Federal prosecutors declined to comment on the investigation, but people familiar with the matter described several separate investigations into senior aides to Adams and their relatives, campaign fundraising and possible attempts to influence police and fire departments.

A week after the search, the city's Police Chief, Edward Cabán, announced his resignation, and about two weeks later, Superintendent David Banks announced he would retire at the end of the year.

Adams himself maintained he would continue to serve the city and wait for the investigation to be completed.

Federal prosecutors sent subpoenas over the summer to Adams, his campaign organization and City Hall, requesting information about the mayor's schedule, international travel and potential ties to the Turkish government.

Adams served in the New York City Police Department for 22 years before entering politics, first as a state senator and then as Brooklyn borough president. He was elected mayor in November 2021, a victory he has repeatedly said was ordained by God.

But more than two years after taking office, Adams' popularity has dwindled, and while the city has seen job growth and certain crime rates fall, his administration has struggled to deal with an influx of tens of thousands of international migrants who are overwhelming the city's homeless shelters.

Accusations and suspicions continue to swirl about people close to the mayor.

In addition to the broader investigation launched by Manhattan prosecutors, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn are investigating one of Adams' top aides, Winnie Greco, who raised thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the city's Chinese American community and later became Adams' Asian affairs director. Greco has not commented publicly about the FBI's search of her assets and continues to work for the city.

When investigators seized electronic devices from Mr Cabban, the former police chief, in early September, they also visited the ex-police officer's twin brother, James Cabban, who runs a nightlife consulting business.

Investigators also seized devices from the school's superintendent, his brother Philip Banks, a former NYPD commissioner who is now deputy mayor for public safety, his brother Terrence Banks, who runs a consulting firm committed to connecting businesses with government officials, and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, David Banks's live-in partner.

All denied any wrongdoing.

As the investigation continued, federal authorities also searched the home of the newly appointed interim police chief, Thomas Donlan, and seized documents unrelated to police work, including documents that Donlan confirmed and said had been in his possession for 20 years.

In a speech Wednesday night, Adams appeared to hold up the search as evidence of an abuse of power by federal agents.

Hours before the allegations were announced, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called on Adams to resign, becoming the first nationally prominent Democrat to do so, and Adams expressed disdain and dismissed Ocasio-Cortez as self-righteous.

Adams, who expects a tough primary election next year, faced further calls for him to resign after the indictment was made public Wednesday night, including from many of the Democratic candidates who have announced or are expected to run for mayor.

City Comptroller Brad Lander said the indictment was “a sad day for New Yorkers.” State Senator Zellnor Miley added that it was “an especially painful day for the many Black New Yorkers who placed their hopes and trust in this mayor.”

Former city Comptroller Scott Stringer, who is expected to run against Adams, said the indictments had created a “city disaster” for New York City.

Joe Borelli, the city council's top Republican and a man believed to be considering a run for mayor, said he would reserve judgment until he had seen the allegations.