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Read Eric Adams’ 57-page indictment of bribery, wire fraud and more charges

Read Eric Adams’ 57-page indictment of bribery, wire fraud and more charges

Read the full indictment in the criminal case against New York Mayor Eric Adams.

Adams is the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to face criminal charges. He was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery and to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals; one count of wire fraud; two counts of solicitation of contribution by an alien; and one case of bribery.

The charges relate to contributions to his 2021 campaign, “including from wealthy foreign businessmen and at least one Turkish government official trying to gain influence over him.”

Eric Adams
The charges against Eric Adams were unveiled Thursday.

AP photo

“As Adams’s fame and power increased, his foreign benefactors sought to capitalize on their corrupt relationships with him, especially when it became clear in 2021 that Adams would become the mayor of New York City,” the 57-page indictment alleges. .

READ THE ENTIRE COMPLAINT

The indictment alleges that Adams traveled the world as early as 2016 with discounted and free dating.

In 2016, he allegedly accepted free upgrades to business class for himself and a guest on return flights from New York to India.

In July 2017, he is accused of accepting free business class tickets for himself and two others on round-trip flights from New York to France, Turkey, Sri Lanka and China. That same month, he reportedly accepted a “heavily discounted” stay at the Bentley Suite at the St. Regis Istanbul.

Three months later, he is accused of obtaining free business class tickets for himself and someone else for a round-trip flight from New York to China.

He is also said to have accepted free upgrades to business class on return flights to Hungary in 2018 and discounted business class tickets to Pakistan in 2021.

In addition to the flights, Adams allegedly used his influence to obtain hotel stays, use of a VIP room, a free car with driver and a meal at a luxury restaurant at free and reduced rates.

Earlier on Thursday, FBI officials were seen searching Adams’ home.

“Federal agents showed up at Gracie Mansion this morning in an attempt to create a spectacle (again) and take Mayor Adams’ phone (again),” Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, said in a statement.

Adams resisted calls to resign and asked for “prayers and patience” in a video statement released Wednesday.

“I always knew that if I stood up for the New Yorkers, 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 all my strength and spirit.”

The mayor is expected to have several days to turn himself in to the authorities.

Adams received a federal subpoena in July seeking information from him, his campaign and City Hall. Eight months earlier, the FBI seized his phones and iPad.

Investigators last month also seized the phones of the police commissioner, the chancellor of schools, two deputy mayors and a senior adviser who oversees migrant shelter contracts.

Eric Adams responds

“We’re not surprised,” Adams said. “We expected this. This is not surprising to us at all, the actions that have taken place over the past ten months, the leaks, the commentary, the demonization.”

He also asked the audience to “wait to hear our side of this story.”

“Based on what I’m reading, I know that if it’s campaign violations, I’m not violating the campaigns,” Adams said. “If they are foreign donors, I know that I do not accept money from foreign donors, and I express that both in writing and in communications to the team, and we will continue to do so.”

He said he has no plans to resign as he faces these criminal charges.

“From here, my attorneys will handle the case so I can take care of the city,” Adams said. “My day to day will not change.”

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