NYC Mayor Eric Adams charged with bribery and wire fraud in scheme spanning nearly 10 years
New York City Mayor Eric Adams received more than $100,000 worth of free plane tickets and luxury hotel stays from wealthy Turkish nationals and at least one government official in a nearly decadelong corruption scheme, according to a 57-page federal indictment unsealed Thursday.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams received more than $100,000 worth of free plane tickets and luxury hotel stays from wealthy Turkish nationals and at least one government official in a nearly decadelong corruption scheme, according to a 57-page federal indictment unsealed Thursday.
In return for free travel benefits and illegal campaign contributions, Adams performed favors for his foreign benefactors, including pressuring the New York Fire Department to allow a Turkish consulate building to open despite serious safety concerns, the indictment says.
The alleged international pay-to-play scheme began after Adams became the Brooklyn borough president in 2014 and helped to underwrite his successful mayoral campaign seven years later, the indictment says. It continued into this year, even after federal officers seized Adams’ electronic devices and raided the home of his chief fundraiser, according to the indictment.
“This was a multiyear scheme to buy favor with a single New York City politician on the rise,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a news conference.
Charged with five counts, Adams, 64, becomes the first sitting New York City mayor to be indicted in the modern era.
Rating: 5