By: Kat Littfin 

Local News Editor

On Sept. 26, the District Attorney’s Office charged New York Mayor Eric Adams with bribery, campaign finance, and conspiracy offenses. Adams began his governmental career working in the New York Police Department (NYPD), where he gradually gained rank, eventually becoming a State Senator, then becoming Brooklyn Borough President, and finally becoming the 110th mayor of New York City in 2022. The democratic mayor gained popularity for his diligence during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he focused many of his policies on service workers and his advocacy for public health policy after his Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Though Adams was initially popular, speculation about criminal dealings in foreign affairs and election campaigns turned many New York citizens against Adams. With his indictment, many are calling for his removal.

The legal demise of the New York mayor began in late 2023, when federal agents raided individuals closely associated with Adams and his mayoral campaign, including his top fundraiser. Later in the investigation, agents seized Adam’s phone, a measure convincing many that the investigation was serious. Although Adams and his attorneys stood by his innocence, almost a year later, the court declared Adams guilty.

The charges against Adams resulted from him and his campaign obtaining illegal campaign contributions. The contributors were primarily prominent foreign political figures and wealthy businessmen. Additionally, Adams and his administration attempted to conceal his wrongdoing from the public and law enforcement. The official press release of Adam’s indictment dates his criminal activity back to 2014 when he resided as Brooklyn Borough President. He accepted luxury travel benefits from a Turkish government official, who wanted to gain political influence over Adams. As Adams’s career grew, he accepted more bribes and benefits from foreign officials and granted them favorable treatment in return. In his mayoral campaign, Adams and his administration convinced wealthy businesses to funnel money into his election campaign, bypassing federal and New York laws capping the amount of money that could be donated to an election campaign. Furthermore, Turkish officials leveraged their persistent donations to Adams to force him to get the New York Fire Department to bypass a safety inspection on a Turkish conciliar building, violating New York safety codes.

Adams continues to deny the charges brought against him, and he claims that the legal system is corrupt and framing him. Adams’s indictment shocked and dismayed the citizens of New York and Americans everywhere, and many called for his resignation. When asked about Adams’s indictment, FBI Assistant Director James E. Dennehy stated, “Public service is a profound responsibility… When that’s perverted by greed and dishonesty, it robs us of our trust. This is a reminder that no one is above the law or beyond reproach.”

(Sources: Fox News, NPR, NYC.gov, The Department of Justice)